BENIN CITY – The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its governorship candidate, Asue Ighodalo, intensified their efforts to overturn the outcome of the September 21, 2024, Edo State governorship election by calling three additional witnesses before the election tribunal in Benin City on Tuesday.
The petitioners are contesting the declaration of Monday Okpebholo, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, as the winner of the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Their case hinges on allegations of widespread irregularities during the election process across several local government areas.
At the tribunal hearing, three witnesses from Ovia South West, Etsako West, and Etsako East Local Government Areas provided testimony to support the PDP’s claims of electoral malpractices.
Witness Testimonies
Destiny Enabulele, a witness from Ovia South West Local Government Area, testified that INEC failed to properly document the deployment of sensitive election materials to 19 polling units in the area. Led by Abiodun Owonikoko, SAN, counsel to the petitioners, Enabulele stated:
“These are documents I carefully examined to arrive at my witness statement on oath. There was no prior recording of sensitive materials deployed by INEC.”
Under cross-examination by the respondents’ counsel, Enabulele admitted he was involved in preparing Form EC8C, the ward collation result, but not other documents used to compile his statement.
In a dramatic turn of events, Babah Idenobhe, a witness from Etsako West Local Government Area, alleged over-voting in three polling units (Units 021–023). However, the respondents’ counsel pointed out a discrepancy: some of the documents Idenobhe relied on were certified by INEC on January 8, 2025, months after his statement on oath was deposed on October 10, 2024. Idenobhe explained that the certified true copies of polling unit results, obtained from BIVAS machines, were among the materials he used in his deposition.
The third witness, Moses Agbukor, who served as the PDP collation agent for Etsako East Local Government Area, also testified to irregularities. He cited cases of over-voting and the absence of prior documentation for sensitive election materials.
Legal Objections
Counsel for INEC, Okpebholo, and the APC—led by Kanu Agabi, SAN; Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN; and Emmanuel Ukala, SAN—objected to the admissibility of the documents tendered by the petitioners. However, they reserved their grounds for objection until the final written addresses.
Tribunal Ruling
Justice Wilfred Kpochi, Chairman of the tribunal, provisionally admitted the contested documents into evidence. He adjourned the hearing to continue today, allowing the petitioners to call more witnesses and present additional evidence.
Background
The tribunal case stems from the September 2024 election, where INEC declared Monday Okpebholo the winner, sparking controversy and protests from the PDP and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo. The PDP has alleged that the election was marred by irregularities, over-voting, and a lack of transparency in the collation process.
As the tribunal proceedings unfold, both parties remain steadfast in their positions, with the outcome of the case likely to have far-reaching implications for governance and electoral credibility in Edo State.
