The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) are getting ready for what could be a pivotal legal battle over the outcome of the September 21 gubernatorial election as the Edo governorship election petition tribunal gets underway in Benin City on Monday.
The case has caused mixed reactions throughout the state, with PDP supporters feeling optimistic and APC members feeling uneasy. Asue Ighodalo, the PDP’s candidate, is contesting the election results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), while the Edo PDP chairman is accusing the APC and INEC of conspiring to rig the election.
The petition highlights alleged irregularities, including substantial non-compliance with the Electoral Act, inflated APC votes in strongholds, and the unlawful cancellation of PDP votes in important local government areas.
Speaking ahead of the tribunal’s first sitting, PDP spokesperson Tony Ehilebo expressed confidence in the party’s case.
“We have presented overwhelming evidence to prove that the election was rigged. We are confident the tribunal will restore the mandate stolen from the people of Edo and reaffirm the integrity of our democracy,” he said.
Meanwhile, APC has dismissed PDP’s claims as baseless, with one of the party’s chieftains describing the legal challenge as “sacrilegious.”
“Politicians must stop litigating every election. Asue is Senator Monday Okpebholo’s Esan brother. He should let bygones be bygones and join the governor to move Edo forward. We have finally gotten an Esan governor; that is the main thing,” the chieftain said.”
He mentioned that the APC remains confident in the legitimacy of Governor Okpebholo’s mandate.
