Benin City, Edo State – Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has secured a legal victory as the tribunal dismissed the petition filed by the Accord Party challenging his election.
The tribunal, in its rulings, struck out four motions brought by the Accord Party, citing a lack of clarity and insufficient evidence to support their allegations of electoral malpractice.
In its first ruling, the tribunal stated that the Accord Party failed to provide substantial proof to back claims of non-compliance with electoral laws. The motion was resolved against the petitioners, weakening their case.
The second ruling addressed the party’s claim that Okpebholo did not secure the required number of lawful votes to be declared the winner. The tribunal, however, ruled in favor of the governor, dismissing the allegation.
Furthermore, in its third and fourth rulings, the tribunal rejected the Accord Party’s request to declare its candidate the winner of the election. The tribunal referenced past Court of Appeal and Supreme Court judgments, emphasizing that any request for such a declaration must be backed by clear, pleaded facts, which the petition failed to provide.
The tribunal criticized the petition for being imprecise and lacking substantive details, leading to its dismissal.
This ruling marks a significant setback for the Accord Party while reinforcing Governor Okpebholo’s electoral mandate. It also underscores the judiciary’s insistence on clarity and evidence in election dispute cases.
