Edo guber tribunal: PDP claims INEC did not present alternative results to contradict “what we tendered”

● Says witnesses’ testimonies on over voting and incorrect allocation of results were unchallenged
● Tribunal to communicate judgement date

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) claimed on Monday that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) could not present any evidence of result sheets or electoral materials in alternative to those tendered by the Party and its Candidate, Dr Asue Ighodalo before the Edo Governorship Elections Petitions Tribunal.

The PDP and its Candidate, Ighodalo claimed they tendered result sheets of the poll in support of various allegations of multiple incidents of over voting, non serialization of Electoral materials and INEC’s falsification of results that characterized the September 21st Governorship Election across 765 Polling units in Edo State.

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Speaking at the resumed proceedings of the Justice Wilfred Kpochi-led three-member Tribunal sitting in Abuja, Counsel to the petitioners, Ken Mozia, SAN stated before the tribunal that the Respondents (INEC) failed to tender any alternative result sheet nor plead any alternative forms EC25B to challenge or contradict PDP’s CTC documentary evidence of rigging across the disputed 765 Polling Units in the State.”

“It is pertinent at this juncture to also bring to your attention that the 2nd respondent (INEC) didn’t plead any alternative forms to ECB25b.

“All the documents we tendered were duly certified by INEC, and they were admitted without objection by the maker (INEC),” Mozia disclosed

He clarified that PDP had, in its petition, only challenged 765 polling units with complaints of multiple incidents of over voting, non serialisation of ballots, and incorrect computation of results which altered the victory of Dr. Asue Ighodalo.

He cited Supreme Court decisions in Uzodinma vs Ihedioha, Kennedy vs INEC, Johnson vs INEC, etc., where the apex court established that there must be prior recording of sensitive election materials in forms EC25B which INEC failed to comply with in some Polling Units during the September 21st Governorship Election.

It will be recalled that PDP Governorship Candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo had presented 19 key witnesses and tendered 154 BVAS machines in proof of his case of multiple over voting, non serialization of ballots, and incorrect computation of results during the hearing of the petition marked EPT/ED/GOV/02/2024.

In contrast, the first Respondent, INEC, failed to present a single witness to defend its controversial declaration of Senator Monday Okpebholo as winner of the disputed September 21st Governorship Election in Edo State.

The second Respondent, Governor Monday Okpebholo, also declined to present additional witnesses after presenting one witness who admitted, under Cross examination, that there were indeed multiple incidents of over voting in some Polling Units as alleged by the petitioners.

At the resumed hearing of the petition for adoption of final Written Addresses on Monday, the petitioners’ counsel were led by Adetunji Oyeyipo SAN, while the first and second Respondents’ counsel were led by Kanu Agabi SAN, Onyechi Ikpeazu SAN, and Emmanuel Ukala SAN respectively.

Counsel reportedly adopted their final written addresses before the court, and the case was adjourned for judgement on a date to be communicated to the parties.