The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Wednesday called for the dismissal of the petition filed by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) challenging the election victory of Governor Monday Okpebholo in the 2024 Edo Governorship race.
The PDP is contesting the declaration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that Okpebholo won the September 21 election with 291,667 votes. This was a clear victory over the PDP’s candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, who garnered 247,274 votes, and Labour Party’s Olumide Akpata, who secured 22,763 votes.
During the pre-hearing session of the Edo Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, which continued on Wednesday, the APC, through its counsel Ferdinand Orbih, SAN, argued that the PDP’s petition was flawed and should be dismissed. Orbih told the three-member panel, led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, that the petition was not in compliance with legal requirements and that the tribunal lacked the authority to hear it.
Orbih presented additional grounds for the dismissal of the petition, as outlined in a motion paper dated November 30, backed by a seven-paragraph affidavit.
On the other hand, the PDP’s counsel, Ken Mozia, SAN, opposed the APC’s motion, urging the tribunal to reject their arguments. Mozia emphasized that the petitioners had filed a reply and counter-affidavit to challenge the APC’s position.
The tribunal’s chairman, Justice Kpochi, chose to reserve the ruling on the motion, with a final decision to be made on the last day of the case.
In a separate motion, the APC requested the tribunal to strike out certain paragraphs in the petition filed by the PDP and its candidate, Dr. Ighodalo. Orbih urged the tribunal to rule on this application before proceeding with the hearing of the main petition. However, the PDP’s counsel contested this motion, asking the tribunal to dismiss it for lack of merit.
Justice Kpochi rejected the APC’s request, stating that all preliminary motions would be ruled on together at the final judgment.
The tribunal adjourned the case to Saturday, directing both parties to submit a joint proposal to guide the tribunal during the hearing.
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