The Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, sitting in Abuja, has reserved judgment in the case challenging Governor Monday Okpebholo’s victory in the September 2024 election.

A three-man panel led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi informed all parties that a date for the judgment would be communicated later. The petition, filed by Dr. Asue Ighodalo and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), seeks to overturn Okpebholo’s victory on the grounds of electoral irregularities and non-compliance with electoral laws.

Representing the petitioners, senior lawyer Ken Mozia argued that electoral malpractices were recorded in 765 out of 4,519 polling units. He accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of failing to counter PDP’s claims despite certifying the documents tendered as evidence. Mozia further pointed to alleged discrepancies between polling unit results (Form EC8A) and figures collated at the ward and local council levels (Form EC8B).

However, INEC’s lead counsel, Kanu Agabi, dismissed the claims, stating that the PDP failed to provide concrete election results to support its allegations. APC’s lawyer, Emmanuel Okala, also described the petition as speculative, arguing that only five polling unit agents were called as witnesses out of more than 4,000 polling units.

Meanwhile, the ruling APC has accused the PDP of plotting to disrupt tribunal proceedings to influence the outcome of the case. In a statement, Edo APC Chairman Emperor Jarret Tenebe alleged that supporters of PDP and Ighodalo were planning an unlawful action aimed at derailing the judicial process.

Tenebe called on security agencies, including the Police, DSS, and the Nigerian Army, to be vigilant and take preventive measures to safeguard the tribunal and ensure peace in the state.