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By Myke Agunwa, Abuja
The election of Edo State Governor, Sen. Monday Okpebholo was on Wednesday, affirmed by the State Election Petitions Tribunal.
A three-member tribunal, led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, in Abuja held that the appellants comprising of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Action Alliance (AA) and Accord Party (AP) could not prove beyond all reasonable doubt that Okpebholo was not duly elected as the Governor of the South-South State as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The tribunal observed that while substantial non-compliance was demonstrated, the burden of proof rests solely with the petitioners.
It stressed that failure to call polling units agents by the PDP Governorship Candidate, Ighodalo Asue in respect of INEC forms tendered was fatal to their case and amounted to dumpling of documents on the Tribunal.
On the petition filled by AA and it candidate, Adekunle Rufai Omoaje, it ruled that it lacked merit and was full of frivolities adding that Omoaje had no locus standi to file the joint petition since he did not participate in the governorship poll.
Omoaje had argued that the election was marred by corruption and claimed that Okpebholo and the APC did not secure the majority of lawful votes.
He also claimed that AA was denied the opportunity to nominate a valid governorship candidate for the election, arguing that his signature as the party’s National Chairman was not on the nomination form.
On the objections raised by AP and its gubernatorial candidate, the tribunal said that it could not be granted as the petitioners failed to discharge the burden of proof placed on them by the law.
The tribunal not only struck out the petition for being incompetent but noted that whereas the petitioners alleged that the governorship election was invalid by reason of corrupt practices and non-compliance with provisions of the Electoral Act, they, however, failed to present any credible evidence to establish the allegation.
According to the tribunal, the petitioners made “general and sweeping allegations” against the outcome of the election and failed to bring particulars of exact polling units or wards where the alleged widespread rigging and non-compliance occurred.
On the petition by the candidate of PDP, t held that the petitioners failed to prove their allegations of over-voting and upheld that Okpebholo secured the highest number of valid votes.
The tribunal also criticized the manner the petitioners presented their evidence, stating that it did not sufficiently support their claims.
It described some of their claims as “vague”, and “un-substantiated.”
The PDP had in a petition marked EPT/ED/GOV/02/2024, claimed that Okpebholo did not win the highest number of lawful votes.
It accused INEC of not properly numbering and pre-recording some sensitive election materials and further alleged that the results in 765 polling units were wrongly calculated.
It presented 19 witnesses and submitted evidence, including 153 BVAS machines used in 133 polling units, claiming that votes were manipulated at collation centres, leading to over-voting in Okpebholo’s favour.
Meanwhile, Minister of The Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has congratulated the Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo for his victory at the tribunal.
Wike, a member of the PDP, urged him not to be distracted by elements seeking to grab power through the back door.
The minister described the victory as a further confirmation of the mandate freely given to the governor by the people of Edo State.
According to him, the victory was for the people of Edo State, who elected him and urged him to priotitis commitment to the service of the people.
While expressing confidence in the ability of Governor Okpebholo to bring succour to the people of Edo State, Wike said, “I believe in him, and with the way he has started, I believe that his government will impact positively on Edo State and its people” in a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka.