The Edo State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal resumed in Abuja on Tuesday, with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) facing criticism over its failure to present witnesses for the ongoing proceedings.
The three-member tribunal, led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, expressed frustration at the PDP’s inability to make full use of the judicial time allocated to the case.
Only one witness, who had previously testified in Edo State, was available to give evidence.
Justice Kpochi remarked, “What you are telling us is unacceptable. Why did we ask the other petitioners to reschedule their hearings if there were no witnesses ready to testify today?”
Adetunji Oyeyipo (SAN), counsel for the PDP, explained that logistical challenges had delayed the arrival of witnesses from Edo State to Abuja.
He assured the tribunal that the witnesses would be prepared to testify on the next scheduled date.
“We undertake to bring as many witnesses as may be convenient for the tribunal on the next date,” Oyeyipo said.
He further explained that some of the witnesses were still recovering from travel disruptions and were not in the right frame of mind to testify.
One witness, Mr. Oseyili Anenih, the PDP’s Director of Research and Strategy, testified that the party and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo, were challenging results from 765 polling units out of 4,519 in the state.
However, under cross-examination by Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), counsel for Governor Monday Okpebholo, Anenih admitted that he did not have access to physical copies of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines used during the election.
Instead, he relied on screenshots of the data, which were tendered as evidence.
The PDP and its candidate, who contested the September 21, 2024 governorship election, are challenging the victory of Governor Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC), alleging irregularities in the process.
The tribunal adjourned the hearing to Thursday to allow the PDP to present its remaining witnesses and continue its case.
