The Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, sitting in Abuja, has dismissed a petition filed by the Action Alliance (AA) and its member, Adekunle Omoaje, challenging the victory of Governor Monday Okpebholo and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The tribunal ruled that the case lacked merit and was frivolous.
Delivering its judgment, the tribunal stated that Omoaje had no locus standi to file the petition, as he did not participate in the governorship election.
It further held that since he was not a candidate in the poll, he had no legal grounds to challenge its validity.
One of Omoaje’s main arguments was that he was not recognized as the National Chairman of the Action Alliance for the purpose of nominating a candidate for the election.
However, the tribunal ruled that his claims had no basis under the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022.
In the petition, Omoaje had urged the tribunal to nullify the declaration of Okpebholo and the APC as winners, alleging that the election violated the Electoral Act.
He also accused the APC of corruption and claimed that Okpebholo did not secure the majority of lawful votes.
Additionally, he contended that the AA was denied the opportunity to nominate a legitimate candidate for the election, as he was not allowed to sign the nomination form as the party’s National Chairman.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Okpebholo the winner of the election with 291,667 votes, defeating his closest opponent, Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who secured 247,655 votes.
