The Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja has upheld the election of Governor Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a unanimous decision on Wednesday, the three-member panel ruled that there was no basis to nullify the outcome of the September 21, 2024, governorship election. The lead judgment, delivered by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, dismissed the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Asuerinme Ighodalo, for lack of merit.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Okpebholo the winner with 291,667 votes, defeating Ighodalo, who secured 247,655 votes. However, the PDP challenged the results, citing non-compliance with the Electoral Act, 2022, and alleged vote manipulation in 765 polling units.
Despite presenting 19 witnesses and 153 BVAS machines as evidence, the tribunal ruled that the petitioners failed to provide sufficient proof to overturn the election results. It noted that their case relied on hearsay evidence and lacked testimony from polling unit agents or voters.
The tribunal concluded that even if the alleged unlawful votes were deducted, Okpebholo would still have emerged victorious.
Reacting to the judgment, Ighodalo’s legal team vowed to appeal the decision at the Court of Appeal.