….. as political thugs clashed outside the court premises
By Emmanuel Abi Couson
The Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal held its inaugural sitting at the Edo State High Court along Sapele Road on Monday as its chairman Justice Wilfred Kpochi, urged cooperation from all stakeholders, including political parties, counsel, security agencies, and the media, to ensure the proceedings run smoothly.
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Asue Ighodalo, and six other political parties had filed petitions challenging the victory of Governor Monday Okpebholo in the September 21, 2024, election.
The other parties contesting the results include the Accord Party (AC), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Action Democratic Party (ADP), Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), and the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
However, the session was marred by violence as supporters of political parties disputing the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s victory were attacked by unknown individuals outside the courtroom premises
Security operatives responded by blocking the court entrance and setting up roadblocks on the route leading to the venue.
On September 22, 2024, INEC announced APC candidate Monday Okpebholo as the winner of the election, with 291,667 votes, defeating Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Asue Ighodalo, who polled 247,274 votes, and Labour Party’s Olumide Akpata, who scored 22,763 votes.
The PDP and six other parties filed petitions with the three-member tribunal, led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, seeking to overturn the results.
The PDP, in particular, urged the tribunal to nullify the results and declare Ighodalo the winner.
Justice Kpochi, accompanied by panel members Justices AB Yusuf and AA Adewole, urged all parties to avoid unnecessary arguments that could disrupt the proceedings. He appealed to everyone to focus on the issues at hand to ensure a peaceful and orderly tribunal.
“I am impressed by the conducive and calm environment I see today,” Kpochi said. “I ask that we keep this atmosphere going, and if anyone has concerns, please draw our attention to them. Let’s avoid shouting or unnecessary arguments.”
Lead counsel for Ighodalo, Ken Mozia (SAN), assured the tribunal of their commitment to the proceedings, promising to advise supporters to remain civil and refrain from gathering at the court. He also pledged cooperation with other parties. In turn, Governor Okpebholo’s lead counsel, Oyinyechi Ikpazu (SAN), echoed the commitment to a smooth process, calling for mutual understanding and collaboration among all parties.
The Benin Chapter Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Idemudia Osifo, also pledged the association’s support but expressed concerns about the limited space in the courtroom for the number of attendees. Justice Kpochi acknowledged the concern and assured that the issue would be addressed.
While Ighodalo and the state PDP chairman, Hon. Tony Aziegbemi, were present in court, Governor Okpebholo was absent. The All Progressives Congress (APC) was represented by the State Legal Adviser, Stephen Okoror, along with party chieftains, including the former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Fran Okiye.
The tribunal was inaugurated by the National Judicial Council one week before the election, with its Secretary, Muazu Bagudu, confirming the pre-hearing schedule.
The court adjourned the hearing to Wednesday, December 18, for continued pre-hearing proceedings, with Justice Kpochi expecting all parties to have completed preliminary actions and agreed on the hearing schedule.
