By: Bayero Ade
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has called on the Edo Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal to dismiss the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) challenging the victory of Governor Monday Okpebholo in the September 21 election.
Ferdinand Orbih, SAN, counsel for the APC, argued before the three-man panel in Benin City that the PDP’s petition was legally incompetent and improperly filed. He further asserted that the tribunal lacked jurisdiction to entertain the case.
Mr. Orbih stated that additional grounds for seeking the dismissal of the petition were detailed in a motion paper dated November 30, supported by a seven-paragraph affidavit.
In response, PDP’s counsel, Ken Mozia, SAN, urged the tribunal to disregard the APC’s motion, noting that the PDP had filed a reply and counter-affidavit opposing the arguments presented.
Tribunal chairman, Justice Wilfred Kpochi, reserved ruling on the APC’s motion until the final judgment day.
In another motion, the APC requested the tribunal strike out specific paragraphs from the PDP’s petition and that of its candidate, Asue Ighodalo. Mr. Orbih emphasized that a ruling on this motion should precede the commencement of the petition’s hearing. However, the tribunal chairman maintained that all preliminary motions would be addressed alongside the final judgment.
Meanwhile, the PDP filed four motions seeking to expunge portions of replies submitted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the APC, and Mr. Okpebholo to its petition.
Following these deliberations, the tribunal adjourned proceedings to December 21, allowing the parties to submit a joint proposal to guide the hearing process.
The PDP is contesting INEC’s declaration of Mr. Okpebholo as the winner, citing irregularities in the election. INEC reported that Mr. Okpebholo secured 291,667 votes, defeating PDP’s Ighodalo, who garnered 247,274 votes.
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