The resumed sitting of the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal on Monday, February 10, 2025, took a dramatic turn as a witness for Governor Monday Okpebholo crumbled under intense cross-examination by lawyers representing the petitioners.
Note that Governor Okpebholo’s victory in the September 21, 2024 off cycle election is being challenged by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo.
The witness, Usman Majek, 31, from Usen in Ovia South-West LGA, was called by Okpebholo’s lawyers to testify in defense of the election results.
However, under cross-examination, he confirmed that over-voting had occurred in his polling unit.
When presented with polling unit results and Exhibit PBA40, the official result sheet, the following exchange took place:
Counsel: “That’s your PU result? You signed?”
Majek: “Yes.”
Counsel: “Was there over-voting?”
Majek: “Yes, there was over-voting.”
The admission, made under oath, immediately caused an uproar in court.
Ovia South-West is the home LGA of Deputy Governor Dennis Idahosa.
Over-voting where the number of votes cast exceeds the number of accredited voters is a violation of the Electoral Act 2022.
Meanwhile, following the testimony, legal representatives for Okpebholo unexpectedly declined to call additional witnesses, despite previously indicating they would do so.
Instead, they closed their case. APC’s counsel requested an adjournment, stating they needed time to reassess their witness strategy.
The tribunal granted the plea and adjourned proceedings until Wednesday, February 12, 2025
and then