The Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal commenced its pre-hearing session in Benin on Monday, addressing petitions that contest the results of the governorship election held on September 21, 2024, as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Unfortunately, the proceedings were disrupted by violence when armed individuals stormed the Edo State High Court.
Supporters from seven political parties challenging the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s victory were assaulted by unidentified assailants outside the courtroom.
In response, security personnel established barriers at the court entrance and erected roadblocks along the access routes to the location.
On September 22, 2024, INEC declared APC candidate Monday Okpebholo the election winner, securing 291,667 votes, thereby defeating the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Asue Ighodalo, who garnered 247,274 votes, and Labour Party’s Olumide Akpata, who received 22,763 votes.
The PDP, along with six other parties, submitted petitions to the three-member tribunal, chaired by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, in an effort to overturn the election results.
The PDP specifically requested that the tribunal annul the results and declare Ighodalo as the rightful winner.
The tribunal is set to consider seven distinct petitions, which include submissions from the Accord Party, Alliance Party, Social Democratic Party, Allied Peoples Movement, Action Democratic Party, and Zenith Labour Party.
The tribunal was established by the National Judicial Council just one week prior to the election, with its Secretary, Muazu Bagudu, confirming the schedule for the pre-hearing.
