The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Wednesday began its defence at the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in Abuja.
The case concerns a petition filed by Dr. Asue Ighodalo and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), challenging the results of the September 2024 governorship election, in which Governor Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was declared the winner.
At the hearing, INEC’s legal representative, A. Amaliu, presented three key documents: the Certified True Copy (CTC) of Form EC8D (state collation results), the CTC of the official Declaration of Result, and the CTC of the 2022 Electoral Guidelines and Regulations.
These documents were accepted as exhibits R1, R2, and R3 without objection from the legal teams of the petitioners, the governor, and the APC.
INEC’s lead counsel, Kanu Agabi, had planned to present witnesses the following day, but Amaliu informed the tribunal that logistical issues had prevented the witnesses from arriving from Benin as scheduled.
Tribunal Chairman Justice Wilfred Kpochi expressed his dissatisfaction with the delay, emphasizing that INEC had ample time to arrange for the witnesses’ presence. He directed that the witnesses must appear at the next session.
After further discussions, all parties agreed to adjourn the hearing, and the tribunal rescheduled the next session for February 5.
Ighodalo and the PDP are contesting the election results, alleging irregularities such as violations of the Electoral Act, over-voting, and claims that Okpebholo did not secure the majority of lawful votes.
They have presented 19 witnesses and submitted relevant documents to support their case.