The Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal resumed its sittings on Monday in Benin City, with both the Peoples Democratic Party and the All Progressives Congress bracing for a potentially pivotal legal battle over the results of the September 21 gubernatorial election.
Reactions to the case have been mixed across the state, with PDP supporters expressing optimism and APC members showing signs of unease.
Asue Ighodalo, the PDP’s gubernatorial candidate, is challenging the outcome of the election, claiming that the results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission were manipulated. The Edo State PDP chairman has alleged a conspiracy between the APC and INEC to skew the results in favor of the APC.
The petition, which raises concerns of significant irregularities, points to violations of the Electoral Act, alleged inflation of votes in APC strongholds, and the unlawful cancellation of PDP votes in key local government areas.
Ahead of the tribunal’s first sitting, PDP spokesperson Barrister Tony Ehilebo expressed strong confidence in the party’s position.
Ehilebo expressed confidence in the party’s case. “We have presented overwhelming evidence to prove that the election was rigged. We are confident the tribunal will restore the mandate stolen from the people of Edo and reaffirm the integrity of our democracy,” he said.
The APC, however, dismissed the PDP’s claims as baseless. Chief Alex Okosun, an APC chieftain described the legal challenge as “sacrilegious.” “Politicians must stop litigating every election. Asue is Senator Monday Okpebholo’s Esan brother. He should let bygones be bygones and join the Governor to move Edo forward. We have finally gotten an Esan governor; that is the main thing,” the chieftain said, adding that the APC remains confident in the legitimacy of Governor Monday Okpebholo’s mandate.
In contrast, the APC dismissed the PDP’s allegations as unfounded. Chief Alex Okosun, an APC leader, referred to the petition as “sacrilegious.” He urged politicians to avoid litigating every election outcome and suggested that Ighodalo, who hails from the same Esan region as Governor Monday Okpebholo, should let past issues go and join the Governor in moving the state forward. Okosun further expressed confidence in the legitimacy of Governor Okpebholo’s mandate, emphasizing that the election outcome had been valid and fair.