Edo Governorship Tribunal Dismisses Action Alliance’s Petition Against Okpebholo’s Election Victory
The Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, sitting in Abuja, has dismissed the petition filed by the Action Alliance (AA) and its national chairman, Adekunle Omoaje, challenging the election of Monday Okpebholo as the state’s governor.
In a judgment delivered on Wednesday, a three-member tribunal panel led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi ruled that the petition lacked merit and was beyond its jurisdiction. The panel maintained that the case revolved around pre-election matters, which the tribunal was not empowered to adjudicate.
AA and Omoaje had alleged that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) unlawfully excluded their candidate from the September 21, 2024, governorship election. They claimed that, despite various court rulings, INEC had recognized a candidate not validly nominated by the party.
Additionally, the petitioners argued that Okpebholo and the All Progressives Congress (APC) did not secure the majority of lawful votes and that the election was marred by corrupt practices.
However, the tribunal upheld all preliminary objections raised by the respondents, ruling that Omoaje lacked the legal standing to challenge the election outcome since he did not participate in the process. The tribunal further clarified that his grievances centred on INEC’s non-recognition of his role as AA’s national chairman regarding candidate nominations, a claim deemed irrelevant under the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022.
The tribunal’s decision solidifies INEC’s declaration of Okpebholo as the winner of the election, in which he secured 291,667 votes, defeating his closest rival, Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who polled 247,655 votes.
AA’s official candidate, Tom Iseghhi-Okojie, had stepped down for Okpebholo just days before the election, further weakening the party’s legal challenge.
