The 2024 Edo Governorship election petition tribunal sitting in Benin City, the Edo State capital, has held its inaugural session ahead of pre-hearing sittings. There were seven petitions before the tribunal, one from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and its governorship candidate, Asue Ighodalo.
In his remarks, Justice Wilfred Kpochi, the chairman of the three-member panel, noted that the courtroom was peaceful and asked for the assistance of the solicitors to make sure that the procedures went smoothly.
The petitioners’ and respondents’ solicitors pledged to carry out their responsibilities with professionalism.
The tribunal was reassured by representatives of various agencies, such as the police and DSS, that measures had been taken to guarantee a safe environment surrounding the court’s grounds.
The tribunal has seven petitions before it, challenging INEC’s declaration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Monday Okpebholo, as winner of the September 21 governorship election.
During the first session, two petitioners were present in court: Tony Aziegbemi, the chairman of the PDP’s state caretaker committee, and Asue Ighodalo, the party’s candidate who finished second in the September 21 poll.
However, Monday Okpebholo, the governor of Edo State, did not attend the meeting.
The result of the September 21, 2024, governorship election was announced by INEC on Sunday, September 22. The PDP candidate came in second place, while Olumide Akpata, the Labour Party candidate, came in third.
