Oshiomhole backs tribunal amidst allegations of electoral fraud in Edo election

DDM News

Senator Adams Oshiomhole has expressed confidence in the ongoing Edo Governorship Election Petition Tribunal proceedings.

He refrained from making detailed comments on the matter.

Speaking to journalists on Friday at the tribunal venue in Abuja, Oshiomhole emphasized the importance of not commenting on court cases.

“You know you don’t comment on matters in court,” Oshiomhole stated.

“I came to watch, to observe the proceedings, and I am satisfied that the proceedings are going well.”

“It is not for me to do any evaluation; that is the responsibility of the tribunal.”

According to Diaspora digital media (DDM), the tribunal is hearing a petition from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The PDP and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo, are challenging the declaration of Governor Monday Okpebholo.

Okpebholo, of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was declared the winner of the September 21, 2024, election.

During Friday’s hearing, the petitioners presented their 16th witness, Haruna Ibrahim, a polling unit agent.

Ibrahim testified before the three-member panel led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi.

He stated that, while the election was generally well-conducted, he observed irregularities.

The irregularities included over-voting, which he reported to officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Oshiomhole, a former governor of Edo State, attended the tribunal to show support for Governor Okpebholo.

Also present was Philip Shaibu, the immediate past deputy governor of Edo State, who recently defected from the PDP to the APC.

Earlier proceedings saw the tribunal admit 148 Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines as evidence.

The devices were tendered by Anthony Itodo, a senior technical officer in INEC’s ICT department.

The BVAS machines pertain to 133 polling units where the PDP is contesting the results.

INEC had declared Okpebholo of the APC the winner with 291,667 votes. He defeated PDP’s Ighodalo, who garnered 247,655 votes.

However, the PDP and its candidate argue that the election should be annulled.

They cite alleged non-compliance with the Electoral Act, 2022.

Oshiomhole’s presence at the tribunal highlights the significance of the case in Edo politics.

While he avoided direct comments on the petition, his attendance signaled his vested interest.

As the proceedings continue, all eyes are on the tribunal’s ruling, which could shape the state’s future.

Oshiomhole, an influential figure in Edo politics, is closely following developments as the case unfolds.

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