The Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal had dismissed the case filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and it’s candidate, Asue Ighodalo challenging the victory of Governor Monday Okpebholo.
TheNewsGuru reports that the three-member tribunal, led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, held that while substantial non-compliance was demonstrated, the burden of proof rests solely with the petitioners (PDP, Ighodalo) —and cannot be shifted to the respondents (Okpebholo, APC).
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TNG understands that Petitioners had initially argued that the September 21st election was marred by non-compliance with the Electoral Act and over-voting, rendering the results invalid.
Additionally, allegations that Okpebholo was not duly elected collapsed under scrutiny, with evidence failing to substantiate the claims.
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Tribunal also held that failure to call polling units agents by the Petitioners (PDP, Asue) in respect of INEC forms tendered was fatal to their case and amounted to dumpling of documents on the Tribunal.