The Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, sitting in Benin City, on Thursday, reserved rulings on motions seeking the dismissal of petitions filed against Governor Monday Okpebholo‘s declaration as the winner of the September 21, 2024, governorship election.
Henzodaily gathered that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Governor Okpebholo, and the All Progressives Congress (APC) filed motions for dismissal.
Akhimie Kingston Afeare of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) and Bishop Akhalamhe Amiemenoghena of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP brought the petitions being contested).
The petitioners, in their respective filings (marked EPT/ED/GOV/06/2024 and EPT/ED/GOV/07/2024), are challenging the conduct and outcome of the election.
During the session, the three-man panel, led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, reserved rulings on the motions to the judgment stage of the main petitions. This decision followed the adoption of written briefs and arguments by the parties involved.
Senior Advocates Abdullahi Aliyu, Onyeachi Ikpeazu, and Emmanuel Ukala, representing the applicants, urged the Tribunal to grant their motions, dismissing the petitions on the grounds of incompetence.
Opposing the motions, Wisdom Isaac, counsel for the petitioners, argued that the applications lacked merit and urged the court to reject them, stating, “These applications deserve to be confined to the dustbin of history.”
Justice Kpochi subsequently adjourned the sitting to Monday, January 20, 2025, for the issuance of the Pre-hearing Report to all parties.
The Tribunal also reserved rulings on motions filed by INEC, Governor Okpebholo, and the APC challenging the competency of petitions brought by Anerua Abdulai Aliu of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the Allied Peoples Movement (APM).
Separately, a petition by Dr. Bright Enabulele, the Accord Party (AP) candidate, against INEC’s declaration of Governor Okpebholo, was adjourned to Tuesday, January 21, for the continuation of hearing.
Counsel for Enabulele, Joel Tagher, requested an adjournment after informing the court that one of the remaining witnesses was unable to attend due to illness.