Edo gov’ship: Supreme Court reserves judgement

The Supreme Court has reserved judgement indefinitely in the appeal challenging the outcome of the Edo State governorship election. The panel, led by Justice Garba Lawal, announced the adjournment after hearing arguments from all parties and said a date for the verdict would be communicated later. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Asue Ighodalo, urged […]

The Supreme Court has reserved judgement indefinitely in the appeal challenging the outcome of the Edo State governorship election.

The panel, led by Justice Garba Lawal, announced the adjournment after hearing arguments from all parties and said a date for the verdict would be communicated later.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Asue Ighodalo, urged the apex court to nullify the election of Governor Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for allegedly violating electoral laws. Ighodalo claimed the PDP secured the majority of lawful votes.

But Okpebholo and the APC asked the court to dismiss the appeal for lacking merit.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) also urged the court to dismiss the case, arguing that Ighodalo and the PDP had labelled the entire election process unlawful due to non-compliance with the Electoral Act and therefore could not claim victory from what they themselves deemed illegitimate.

Earlier, the Edo State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Abuja, presided over by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, had dismissed the PDP’s petition for failing to prove allegations of over-voting in 320 polling units across all 18 local government areas. This decision was affirmed by the appellate court.