The All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged the Edo Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal to dismiss a petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) challenging the victory of Governor Monday Okpebholo in the September 21 election.
Represented by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Ferdinand Orbih, the APC argued on Wednesday that the PDP’s petition was procedurally flawed and incompetent. Orbih informed the three-member panel sitting in Benin that the tribunal lacked jurisdiction to entertain the matter, emphasizing that the petition was not filed in accordance with extant legal provisions.
The APC’s motion, supported by a seven-paragraph affidavit dated November 30, also called for the dismissal of specific paragraphs within the PDP’s petition. Orbih requested the tribunal to rule on these motions before proceeding with the case's substantive hearing.
In response, the PDP’s counsel, Ken Mozia (SAN), urged the tribunal to reject the APC’s submissions. Mozia stated that the PDP had filed a reply and counter-affidavit to contest the APC’s motions, arguing that the application lacked merit.
Tribunal Chairman Justice Wilfred Kpochi reserved rulings on all preliminary motions, stating that they would be delivered alongside the final judgment.
The PDP also filed motions requesting the tribunal to strike out sections of the replies submitted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), APC, and Governor Okpebholo.
The tribunal has adjourned proceedings to December 21, instructing all parties to file a joint proposal to guide the tribunal’s hearing.
INEC declared Okpebholo the winner of the election, stating he secured 291,667 votes, defeating the PDP’s candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, who garnered 247,274 votes. The PDP is contesting the results, alleging irregularities in the electoral process.
Post a Comment