Senator Adams Oshiomhole has expressed satisfaction with the ongoing proceedings at the Edo Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, though he declined to provide detailed comments on the matter.
Speaking to journalists on Friday at the tribunal’s venue in Abuja, Oshiomhole, who represents Edo North Senatorial District, emphasized the importance of refraining from public commentary on court matters.
“You know you don’t comment on matters in court. I came to watch, to observe the proceedings, and I am satisfied that the proceedings are going well,” he said. “It is not for me to do any evaluation; that is the prerogative and absolute responsibility of the tribunal.”
According to reports from PM News Nigeria, the tribunal is currently hearing a petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its governorship candidate, Asue Ighodalo, challenging the outcome of the September 21, 2024, gubernatorial election in Edo State. The PDP and its candidate are seeking to nullify the declaration of Governor Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the election.
During Friday’s proceedings, the petitioners presented their 16th witness, Haruna Ibrahim, who served as a polling unit agent during the election. Ibrahim testified before the three-member panel, led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, that although the election was generally conducted properly, he observed irregularities, including over-voting, which he reported to officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Oshiomhole, a former governor of Edo State, attended the tribunal to show support for Governor Okpebholo. Also present was Philip Shaibu, the immediate-past Deputy Governor of Edo State, who recently defected from the PDP to the APC.
In earlier proceedings, the tribunal admitted into evidence 148 Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines used during the election. The devices were tendered by Anthony Itodo, a Senior Technical Officer in INEC’s ICT Department, following a subpoena by the petitioners. The BVAS machines pertain to 133 polling units where the PDP is contesting the results.
INEC had declared Okpebholo of the APC as the winner of the election with 291,667 votes, defeating Ighodalo of the PDP, who garnered 247,655 votes. However, the PDP and its candidate argue that the election was invalid due to alleged non-compliance with the Electoral Act, 2022. The tribunal continues its hearing on the matter
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