The Edo Governorship Election Petition Tribunal upheld Governor Monday Okpebholo’s victory, dismissing the PDP’s claims of electoral malpractice as unsubstantiated. The tribunal highlighted the lack of evidence and condemned the PDP’s approach as desperate. Okpebholo’s administration is praised for development projects, while critics question the PDP’s credibility and strategy.
BENIN CITY, Edo State – In a resounding declaration of electoral integrity, the Edo Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has reaffirmed Governor Monday Okpebholo’s victory, dismissing the PDP’s challenge as nothing more than unfounded theatrics.
The tribunal’s unanimous judgment – delivered by Justice Wilfred Kpochi – has thrown cold water on the PDP and its governorship candidate, Asue Ighodalo, whose allegations of overvoting and electoral malpractice were found to be unsubstantiated.
At the heart of the tribunal’s ruling was the glaring absence of concrete evidence. Dr Samson Osagie, Edo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, emphasised that it is not enough for the opposition to make vague claims; one must demonstrate proof beyond mere allegations.
The tribunal observed that the petitioners failed to call any credible eyewitnesses or produce verifiable documents that could validate their assertions. Instead, they resorted to “dumping” exhibits – including BVAS screenshots – without the necessary corroboration through competent testimony.
The ruling was both critical and cutting. In his statement, Dr Osagie condemned the PDP’s approach as little more than a “tantrum” – a desperate attempt to overturn a verdict that was firmly anchored in the evidence, or lack thereof.
The tribunal noted that even if the alleged irregularities were factored in, Okpebholo would have still emerged victorious with the highest number of valid votes.
This decisive pronouncement not only underscores the integrity of the electoral process but also reinforces the public’s mandate, which has been clearly bestowed on Governor Okpebholo by the people of Edo State.
The tribunal’s decision is being hailed by supporters of the APC as a vindication of practical governance. It comes at a time when Okpebholo’s administration is lauded for initiating massive development projects across the state – a tangible testament to the people’s confidence in his leadership.
With projects unfolding on the ground, according to Attorney General Samson Osagie, the tribunal’s verdict sends a powerful message: electoral challenges must be underpinned by solid evidence and not mere rhetoric.
Critics, however, are quick to point out that the dismissal of the petition exposes deeper fault lines within the PDP. The party’s inability to produce competent evidence and its failure to summon credible witnesses have left it vulnerable to accusations of opportunism and desperation.
Political analysts argue that the tribunal’s judgment is not only a legal defeat for the PDP but also a severe blow to its credibility in Edo State. With the opposition now facing the prospect of further legal battles at the Court of Appeal, questions arise about its strategic planning and the substance of its electoral claims.
As the dust settles, Governor Okpebholo has extended an olive branch to Ighodalo, urging the defeated candidate to join hands for the sake of the state’s development. This gesture, however, has been met with mixed reactions.
While many view it as a call for national reconciliation, others see it as a calculated move to consolidate power amidst growing political polarisation in Nigeria.
In sum, the tribunal’s emphatic reaffirmation of Okpebholo’s victory has not only validated the electoral process but has also set a stern precedent for future election petitions in Nigeria. It underscores that, in the realm of electoral justice, allegations without substantiation will invariably fall short.
The decision is a clarion call for all political actors to adhere to the rule of law and uphold the integrity of the democratic process—a sentiment that resonates deeply in the political landscape of Edo State and beyond.
- Additional report from Osaigbovo Okungbowa, Atlantic Post Senior Political Correspondent
