The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo, have officially closed their case at the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja after presenting 19 witnesses to support their challenge against the election victory of Governor Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
At the tribunal session on Monday, the PDP’s lead counsel, Robert Emukpoeruo (SAN), informed the three-member panel, led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, that the petitioners had concluded their arguments.
This development came after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) produced five additional Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines used during the September 21, 2024 election. The BVAS devices were submitted as evidence by Mr. Anthony Itodo, a Senior Technical Officer in INEC’s ICT Department.
Although all the respondents—INEC, the APC, and Governor Okpebholo—objected to the evidence presented, they reserved their reasons for their final written addresses.
Earlier, the tribunal had already admitted 148 BVAS machines used in 133 disputed polling units, where the PDP alleges irregularities and electoral malpractice.
Next Steps in the Case
With the PDP concluding its case, the tribunal has scheduled Wednesday for INEC to open its defense.
The election results announced by INEC showed that:
- APC candidate, Okpebholo, won with 291,667 votes
- PDP candidate, Ighodalo, finished second with 247,655 votes
Dissatisfied with the outcome, the PDP and Ighodalo filed a petition (EPT/ED/GOV/02/2024), seeking to overturn Okpebholo’s victory. They argue that:
- The election was marred by irregularities and failed to comply with the Electoral Act.
- Okpebholo did not win the highest number of lawful votes cast during the election.
As the tribunal proceedings continue, all eyes are on INEC’s defense, which could play a key role in determining the final verdict on the disputed Edo governorship election.
