Kehinde Fajobi
Former Edo Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, appeared at the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal on Friday to support Governor Monday Okpebholo of the APC, declared the winner of the September 21, 2024, election.
The tribunal proceedings took a dramatic turn when the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo, presented their 16th witness, Haruna Ibrahim.
Ibrahim, who served as a polling unit agent during the election, told the tribunal that while the election was properly conducted, he witnessed significant irregularities, including over-voting.
He immediately raised concerns with officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Oshiomhole, alongside former Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu—now a member of the APC—was present in court to observe the case.
On Thursday, the tribunal admitted 148 Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines into evidence. The machines, which were used in 133 disputed polling units, were presented by INEC’s Senior Technical Officer, Anthony Itodo.
PDP ward agents also testified about their refusal to sign election results due to irregularities during collation.
The petitioners contend that Okpebholo did not secure the highest number of lawful votes, and that the election violated the provisions of the Electoral Act.
They are seeking the tribunal’s intervention to annul INEC’s declaration of Okpebholo as the winner.
Okpebholo received 291,667 votes, defeating Ighodalo’s 247,655 votes, according to INEC. The PDP, however, argues that the election was invalid and non-compliant with legal standards.