JUST IN: Tribunal dismisses Accord Party’s petition against Okpebholo

The Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, convened in Abuja, has dismissed the petition aimed at invalidating the election of Governor Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a unanimous ruling on Wednesday, the three-member panel, chaired by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, upheld the election results, rejecting the claims made by the Accord Party (AP) and its candidate. The tribunal found that the petitioners failed to present adequate evidence to substantiate their allegations of electoral malpractice.

The tribunal noted that while the petitioners alleged widespread irregularities, including multiple thumbprinting, voter intimidation, and failure to use the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), they did not specify the exact polling units or wards where these infractions occurred. The panel described their claims as “vague” and lacking merit.

Furthermore, the tribunal upheld preliminary objections challenging the competence of the petition, affirming that the allegations against Governor Okpebholo’s victory were unsubstantiated.

INEC had declared Okpebholo winner of the September 21, 2024, election with 291,667 votes, defeating his closest rival, Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who secured 247,655 votes.

The AP candidate garnered only 252 votes.

This ruling follows the tribunal’s earlier dismissal of a similar petition filed by the Action Alliance (AA).

The panel is now set to deliver its judgment on the petition filed by the PDP and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo, who are seeking to be declared the rightful winners of the election.