BREAKING: Edo Election Tribunal Affirms Monday Okpebholo As Governor

Benin, Edo State– The Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has upheld the election of Monday Okpebholo as the duly elected governor of Edo State.

In three separate judgments delivered on Wednesday, the tribunal dismissed petitions filed by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Action Alliance (AA), and Accord Party (AP) challenging Okpebholo’s victory.

The tribunal ruled that the PDP failed to substantiate its claims of electoral malpractice, particularly allegations of overvoting.

It noted that the party did not call polling unit agents from all the affected polling stations to testify in support of its claims.

Furthermore, the tribunal stated that out of the 19 witnesses presented by the PDP, 14 were ward and local government agents, while the key witness, who identified himself as the party’s Director of Strategy, had no direct role in the election process.

The tribunal held that his testimony lacked sufficient probative value.

On the issue of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices presented as evidence by the petitioners, the tribunal dismissed them as being “dumped” without proper linkage to the alleged irregularities.

The tribunal’s decision solidifies Okpebholo’s mandate and is expected to put an end to the legal battles surrounding the governorship election.