Edo Election Petition Tribunal Holds Pre-hearing Today

The 2024 Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal held its inaugural sitting today in Benin City, ahead of pre-hearing sessions on petitions challenging the declaration of Monday Okpebholo as the winner of the September 21 governorship election.

Justice Wilfred Kpochi, the chairman of the three-member tribunal, addressed the court, noting the calm atmosphere and urging counsel to maintain professionalism throughout the proceedings. He emphasized the need for cooperation to ensure a smooth process.

Counsel to both petitioners and respondents expressed their commitment to handling the case with the utmost professionalism. Representatives from security agencies, including the police and the Department of State Services (DSS), assured the tribunal of tight security measures around the court’s premises.

The tribunal is currently hearing seven petitions, all challenging the declaration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that Okpebholo, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, won the election. One of the petitioners, Asue Ighodalo, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate who came second in the election, was present at the session. Also present was Tony Aziegbemi, the chairman of the PDP’s state caretaker committee.

However, Okpebholo, the APC candidate and incumbent governor, was absent from the session. In the September 21 election results announced by INEC on September 22, Ighodalo finished second, while Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party secured third place.