The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and its governorship candidate, Asue Ighodalo, have concluded their case before the Edo State Governorship Election Tribunal, challenging the outcome of the September 21, 2024, election.
On Monday, the petitioners closed their case after presenting 19 witnesses who testified on alleged irregularities, particularly during the collation of results at the ward and local government levels.
This came after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) submitted five additional Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines used during the election.
The devices were presented by a Senior Technical Officer from INEC’s ICT Department, Anthony Itodo, in response to a subpoena issued by the tribunal, led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi.
Previously, INEC had tendered 148 BVAS machines covering 133 polling units involved in the election.
The PDP and Ighodalo are challenging the declaration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Monday Okpebholo, as the winner of the election.
According to INEC’s official results, Okpebholo secured 291,667 votes, while Ighodalo polled 247,655 votes.
The petitioners argue that the collation process was flawed and that the results were inaccurately computed.
During Monday’s hearing, lead counsel to the petitioners, Robert Emukpoeruo (SAN), informed the tribunal that his clients were satisfied with the evidence they had presented and were closing their case.
While INEC, Okpebholo, and the APC objected to the admission of the five newly tendered BVAS machines as evidence, the tribunal accepted them but reserved its ruling on their relevance.
The tribunal has scheduled February 5 for INEC to open its defence.
Meanwhile, the Edo State PDP Chairman, Chief Anthony Aziegbemin, expressed confidence in the strength of the case presented by the party’s legal team.
“We believe the case is clear and well-documented. The evidence speaks for itself, and we trust the judiciary will give due consideration to what we have presented,” Aziegbemin stated.
He also questioned INEC’s objection to the admissibility of its own certified documents, calling it “strange” and raising concerns about the commission’s stance.
The PDP and Ighodalo are urging the tribunal to nullify Okpebholo’s victory, citing non-compliance with the Electoral Act and arguing that he did not secure the highest number of lawful votes cast.
