Edo: APC, PDP Dismiss Judgment Leak as Tribunal Rules Today

The Edo State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal is set to deliver its judgment today (Wednesday) on the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo, challenging the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Governor Monday Okpebholo in the September 21, 2024, governorship election.

On Tuesday, purported copies of the tribunal’s judgment flooded social media, sparking outrage and counterclaims from both parties. While the APC dismissed the leak as a desperate attempt by the PDP to preempt a loss, the PDP accused the ruling party of using the leaked document to test public reaction.

Allegations of Electoral Irregularities

The PDP and Ighodalo approached the tribunal after rejecting the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) declaration that Okpebholo won the election with 291,667 votes against Ighodalo’s 247,655. In their petition marked EPT/ED/GOV/02/2024, the opposition party alleged multiple irregularities, including over-voting, improper collation of results, and non-serialisation of ballots.

The petitioners argued that INEC failed to properly document and secure sensitive electoral materials, which they claimed facilitated widespread manipulation in favor of the APC. To support their case, the PDP presented 19 witnesses and subpoenaed an INEC ICT officer who provided 154 BVAS machines as evidence. In contrast, the APC fielded four witnesses, while INEC chose not to present any.

Reactions to Leaked Judgment

Shortly after the tribunal announced the judgment date, purported copies of the ruling surfaced online, suggesting a split decision. The PDP Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, accused the APC of orchestrating the leak to manipulate expectations. He warned President Bola Tinubu against interference and emphasized that the tribunal had a duty to uphold justice.

“The APC owns the judgments. They are behind the leaked documents. They want to test the waters. But let the judiciary remain independent,” Osadolor stated. He further expressed confidence in the PDP’s case, noting that neither INEC nor the APC had presented strong witnesses to defend the election results.

APC Denies Involvement, Accuses PDP of Desperation

The APC Publicity Director, Bala Ibrahim, countered the PDP’s claims, insisting that the opposition party was responsible for the fake judgment leak. He argued that the PDP was attempting to manipulate public perception because they anticipated a tribunal loss.

“For them to accuse the APC of releasing the judgment online, it means they had prior knowledge about its content. The PDP must be held responsible for this distraction,” Ibrahim said. He reiterated the party’s confidence in the tribunal’s verdict, asserting that justice would be served in their favor.

Meanwhile, the APC’s Edo State Publicity Secretary, Peter Uwadiae-Igbinigie, dismissed the leaked judgment as misinformation spread by Okpebholo’s opponents. He described the rumors as baseless and assured party supporters that the judiciary would act independently.

Awaiting Tribunal’s Final Verdict

As tensions rise, all eyes are on the three-man tribunal led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi. The judgment, expected to be delivered in Abuja, will determine whether the PDP’s claims hold merit or if Okpebholo’s victory remains intact. The outcome is likely to have significant political implications for Edo State and beyond.

While both parties maintain confidence in their respective positions, the final decision rests with the tribunal, whose ruling will either affirm or nullify the election results. The nation watches closely, hoping for a judgment that upholds democracy and the rule of law.