Former Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole on Friday, 31 January, 2025 stormed the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja to show solidarity with Governor Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Last September, Okpebholo was declared the winner of the governorship contest by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). INEC had declared Okpebholo the winner with 291,667 votes, defeating Asue Ighodalo, who secured 247,655 votes.
However, not satisfied with the results released by the electoral umpire, other parties including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) filed petitions at the tribunal.
In Friday’s proceedings, aside Oshiomhole, who currently represents Edo North Senatorial District, the immediate past Deputy Governor of the state, Philip Shaibu, who defected from the PDP to the APC, was also present.
The tribunal had earlier admitted 148 Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines as evidence. These machines were used during the conduct of the disputed governorship poll. The petitioners had subpoenaed INEC to produce the BVAS machines used in 133 polling units where election results are being disputed.
The PDP and its candidate presented their 16th witness, Haruna Ibrahim, who served as a polling unit agent during the gubernatorial election held on September 21, 2024. Ibrahim testified that although the election was properly conducted, he observed irregularities in the form of over-voting and immediately complained to INEC officials at the polling unit.
The petitioners are contesting the declaration of Okpebholo as the winner, alleging non-compliance with provisions of the Electoral Act. They also claim that Okpebholo did not secure the highest number of lawful votes cast at the election.
