The Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in Abuja has affirmed the election of Governor Monday Okpebholo, dismissing the petition filed by the Accord Party (AP) and its candidate. In a unanimous decision delivered by the three-member panel led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, the tribunal ruled that the petitioners failed to provide sufficient evidence to substantiate their claims of electoral irregularities during the September 21, 2024 governorship election.
The tribunal noted that while the AP alleged widespread corrupt practices and non-compliance with the Electoral Act, including multiple thumbprinting and failure to use BVAS machines, they did not specify the polling units or wards where these alleged infractions occurred. Justice Kpochi described the petition as “incompetent” and lacking in merit, emphasizing that the burden of proof rested squarely on the petitioners, who could not provide credible evidence to support their allegations.
This ruling follows Tuesday’s dismissal of a similar petition by the Action Alliance (AA), which also sought to nullify Okpebholo’s victory. With these two petitions resolved, the tribunal’s focus now shifts to the pending petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Asuerinme Ighodalo, who are contesting the election results.
INEC had declared Okpebholo the winner with 291,667 votes, defeating Ighodalo, who polled 247,655 votes. The AP candidate received only 252 votes. The tribunal’s decision reinforces the legitimacy of Okpebholo’s mandate as the legal challenges against his election near their conclusion.
