The Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate in the September 21, 2024, Edo State election, Dr Asue Ighodalo, on Friday, commenced his case challenging the victory of Senator Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress. Ighodalo tendered over 1,000 documents in support of his petition, which alleges irregularities during the poll.
Ighodalo and the PDP, in a petition marked EPT/ED/GOV/02/2024, contest the Independent National Electoral Commission’s declaration of Okpebholo as the winner. They argue that Ighodalo scored the highest valid votes and question why INEC declared Okpebholo victorious.
When hearing resumed on Friday, the petitioners’ lead counsel, Adetunji Oyeyipo, SAN, tendered a Certified True Copy of Form EC8E, the INEC final declaration result sheet, from the bar. This was presented to support the petitioners’ case.
At the instance of Oyeyipo, Kenneth Mozia also tendered:
– CTC of Form EC8D: Summary of results from Local Government Areas Collation at the State Level.
– CTCs of Form EC8C: Results for all 18 Local Government Areas in the state.
– CTCs of Form EC8B: Ward results for the 192 wards in the state.
– 320 CTCs of Form EC8A: Polling unit result sheets.
– 318 CTCs of INEC’s Polling Unit Booklets, each containing Form EC25D.
– 58 CTCs of Form EC8A (IREV).
These documents were presented as evidence supporting the petitioners’ claim of electoral irregularities.
Counsel for the respondents, including INEC, Governor Monday Okpebholo, and the APC, raised objections to the admissibility of the documents. The legal team, comprising Kanu Agabi, SAN, Onyeachi Ikpeazu, SAN, and D.C. Denwigwe, SAN (representing Emmanuel Ukala, SAN), informed the court that they would provide detailed reasons for their objections during the final address stage of the petition.
Justice Wilfred Kpochi, leading the tribunal, provisionally admitted all the documents into evidence and marked them as exhibits.
“Learned counsel to the respondents shall state their reasons for their objections at the address stage,” Justice Kpochi ruled.
The tribunal adjourned the hearing to Saturday, December 18, 2024. The petitioners are expected to present additional documents to bolster their case.
This legal battle is being closely watched, as its outcome could significantly impact the political landscape of Edo State.