In the ongoing legal battle surrounding the recent Edo Governorship elections, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged the 2024 Edo Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal to dismiss the petition filed by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) challenging the victory of Governor Monday Okpebholo.
During a pre-hearing session on Wednesday, APC counsel Ferdinand Orbih (SAN) argued that the PDP’s petition was incompetent and not filed in accordance with legal requirements. Orbih contended that the tribunal lacked the jurisdiction to hear the case, citing multiple grounds for dismissal outlined in a motion dated November 30, which was supported by a seven-paragraph affidavit.
In response, the PDP’s counsel, Ken Mozia (SAN), countered the APC’s assertions, urging the tribunal to disregard their arguments. Mozia affirmed that the petitioners had submitted a reply and counter-affidavit to challenge the APC’s motion effectively.
Tribunal chairman Justice Wilfred Kpochi announced that a ruling on the motion would be reserved until the final day of the case. Additionally, the APC requested the tribunal to strike out certain paragraphs in the PDP’s petition and that of its candidate, Asue Ighodalo. Orbih requested a ruling on this matter before proceeding with the hearing.
The PDP’s counsel opposed the APC’s motion, arguing it lacked merit. Justice Kpochi ultimately rejected the APC’s request, emphasizing that all preliminary motions would be addressed on the final judgment day.
Earlier in the proceedings, the PDP moved four separate motions aimed at expunging various paragraphs from the responses of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the APC, and Okpebholo to its petition. The tribunal adjourned to Saturday to allow the parties to file a common proposal to guide the tribunal during the hearing.
The PDP is contesting the declaration of Okpebholo as the winner of the September 21 election, in which INEC reported that Okpebholo received 291,667 votes, defeating PDP’s Ighodalo, who garnered 247,274 votes, and Labour Party’s Olumide Akpata, who received 22,763 votes.
