The ongoing legal battle regarding the September 21st governorship election in Edo State, the state’s election petition tribunal convened on Saturday, January 18, 2025, to consider the petition filed by Ighodalo Akintunde Asuelimen of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Asuelimen is challenging the election victory of Senator Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The tribunal, operating under petition number EPT/ED/GOV/02/2024, is tasked with reviewing the claims brought against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other respondents involved in the contentious election process.
During the proceedings, the tribunal provisionally admitted a plethora of documents submitted by the petitioners, a step viewed as crucial in validating their claims.
Counsel for the petitioners outlined the verification process undertaken by all parties prior to the submission of diverse documents as evidence, despite facing objections from the opposing respondents. These objections were noted, with the respondents opting to reserve their arguments for the final written addresses, indicating a protracted legal battle ahead.
The tribunal’s provisional admission of these extensive documents is one step for the petitioners, albeit with the understanding that further conditions may be imposed before these documents are fully accepted as part of the case record. The evidence presented included a total of over 70 exhibits from various local government areas, along with multiple forms and booklets that are critical to substantiating the petitioners’ claims.
Among the documents provisionally admitted were:
1. Certified True Copies (CTCs) of Forms EC8B from various wards across Akoko Edo, Egor, Esan Central, Esan North East, and Esan South East.
2. Forms EC8EL and EC8D, marked as Exhibits PA1 and PA2.
3. CTCs of Form EC8D from 18 polling units, designated as Exhibits PA3-PA20.
4. An extensive array of 320 copies of polling unit forms EC8A, admitted as Exhibit PCA1-PCA320.
5. 58 CTCs of Form EC8A obtained from INEC’s IREV portal, marked as Exhibits BDA1-BDA58.
6. 308 CTC polling unit booklets containing Form BC25B, noted as Exhibits PCB1-PCB308.
The atmosphere at the tribunal on Saturday was notably charged, with heightened security measures in place as armed Police and other security operatives ensured a secure environment, reflecting the increasing tensions surrounding the tribunal’s sessions leading up to this point.
The extended hearing on Saturday was indicative of the tribunal’s commitment to thoroughly addressing the substantial evidential submissions made by Ighodalo Akintunde Asuelimen and his legal team.
Following the extensive examination of the documents, the tribunal adjourned, scheduling its next session for Monday, January 20, 2025.
This upcoming session promises to be pivotal as the tribunal continues to navigate the complexities of the case and the implications it holds for the political landscape of Edo State.
All eyes will be on the tribunal as it picks up where it left off, amidst a charged atmosphere and a community eager for resolution.