Overvoting: Drama as PDP counsels grills APC witness at Edo Election Tribunal

Afuda Theophilus, a key witness for the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the Edo State governorship tribunal, contradicted his sworn testimony while being cross-examined that over-voting occurred in Esan North East LGA during the September 21 governorship election. Theophilus, who was presented by APC to defend the election’s integrity, initially claimed in his sworn witness […]

Afuda Theophilus, a key witness for the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the Edo State governorship tribunal, contradicted his sworn testimony while being cross-examined that over-voting occurred in Esan North East LGA during the September 21 governorship election.

Theophilus, who was presented by APC to defend the election’s integrity, initially claimed in his sworn witness statement that there were no incidents of over-voting.

However, when confronted with polling unit results, he accepted that the total number of votes exceeded the number of accredited voters.

“This shows there was over-voting?” Asue Ighodalo’s lead counsel, Owonikoko SAN, asked.
“Yes,” Theophilus replied, before attempting to explain.

When referred to the INEC Manual for Election Officials, Theophilus was asked to confirm the prescribed form for documenting the serial numbers of result sheets and ballot papers. He affirmed that Form EC25B was the required form.

But when presented with the actual Form EC25Bs used in the election, he acknowledged that they had not been filled—no serial numbers, no signatures, no identifying details.

“There is no entry of serial numbers of result sheets or the BVAS machine. Can you confirm?” Owonikoko asked.
“I can’t find it…” Theophilus hesitated.
“Can you confirm that they are not there?”
“Yes, they are not there,” he admitted.

Hon. Ogbeide Ifaluyi-Isibor, who spoke to the press, stated that the cross-examination exposed “glaring irregularities” in INEC’s handling of the election and raised serious doubts about the credibility of the results.

“Our legal team has argued that failure to complete Form EC25B alone constitutes non-compliance with electoral guidelines, invalidating results from affected polling units. This is the law, it is not my opinion. It is a strict liability issue; and once again we are grateful to the APC for sending us such honest witnesses”.