Leaked documents have sparked political tension ahead of the official ruling by the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, as many await confirmation on whether the leaked judgment aligns with the final decision.
A day before the official ruling, a purported judgment from the tribunal surfaced online, revealing a divided decision on the petition challenging Governor Monday Okpebholo’s victory. The tribunal, chaired by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, is expected to announce its verdict on Wednesday, April 2.
The leaked decision suggests a two-to-one ruling in favor of Okpebholo, dismissing the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo. Justice Kpochi and Justice A.B. Yusuf ruled in Okpebholo’s favor, while Justice A.A. Adewole dissented, arguing the election results should have been reversed.
In his minority judgment, Justice Adewole contended that the election did not substantially comply with the Electoral Act and that Ighodalo had proven his case. He argued that the petitioners demonstrated, unit by unit, how the actual total should be 243,113 votes, with the second respondent’s tally standing at 210,326 votes—a clear reversal of the declared result.
The majority ruling, however, acknowledged irregularities, such as over-voting and missing serial numbers on EC 25B forms, but maintained these issues did not significantly impact the outcome of the election. “The petitioners have not discharged the dual burden to the satisfaction of the law. Accordingly, the petition lacks merit and is hereby dismissed,” the judgment stated.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Okpebholo, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, the winner with 291,667 votes, defeating Ighodalo, who garnered 247,655 votes. Unconvinced, the PDP filed the petition, citing widespread irregularities.
The leaked documents have sparked intense political tension, with many now awaiting the tribunal’s official decision to determine whether the leaked judgment reflects the final ruling.
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