By Joy Nweke….(Reporting from Edo)
*Nigeria –* In a significant ruling, the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has dismissed the case brought by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo, challenging the legitimacy of Governor Monday Okpebholo’s election. The tribunal, in its decision, upheld the election results, affirming that while there were assertions of non-compliance with the Electoral Act and instances of over-voting, the petitioners failed to substantiate their claims sufficiently.
The PDP and Ighodalo had argued that the election was marred by irregularities that invalidated the results, pointing to alleged instances of non-compliance with electoral laws. However, the tribunal pointed out that, according to established Supreme Court precedents, it is incumbent upon the petitioners to prove their case beyond doubt, a burden they could not successfully meet.
In their deliberations, the tribunal noted that, although there were indications of substantial non-compliance with electoral regulations, the evidence presented by the petitioners did not convincingly demonstrate that the alleged irregularities were extensive enough to affect the overall outcome of the election.
“The failure to bring polling unit agents to testify, alongside the handling of INEC forms, was a critical error in the petitioners’ case,” the tribunal explained. It emphasized that this omission effectively nullified the weight of their argument and led to an inadequate presentation of evidence. The tribunal termed this failure as tantamount to ‘dumping documents’ without proper witness testimony, which severely weakened their position.
Additionally, the tribunal found that allegations that Okpebholo was not duly elected lacked compelling evidence. The petitioners were unable to provide concrete proof to back their claims, leading the tribunal to affirm the validity of Okpebholo’s election as head of the Edo State government.
As reactions to the ruling unfold, political analysts anticipate that this decision will further solidify Okpebholo’s position and governance in Edo State, while it leaves the PDP and Ighodalo to reassess their strategies in the face of legal and political challenges.
The tribunal’s ruling is expected to set a precedent for future electoral disputes in the region and emphasizes the importance of thorough and substantiated claims in election petitions. As the political landscape in Edo continues to evolve, questions linger regarding the next steps for the PDP and its leadership in pursuing their political objectives moving forward.
