Just in: Edo gov. election petitions tribunal reserves judgment

The Edo State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Abuja has reserved judgment in the petition filed by the Action Alliance (AA) against the victory of Gov. Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Persecondnews recalls that the Independent National Electoral Commission had declared Okpebholo winner of the Sept. 21, 2024 governorship election in the state.

Justice Wilfred Kpochi-led three-member tribunal announced that a date for the judgment would be communicated to the parties and counsel.

On Tuesday, counsel for the various parties in the suit adopted their written addresses.

Counsel to the petitioner, Mr Adewale Adebayo urged the court to uphold all the arguments and submissions made on behalf of the petitioner and grant his prayers.

However, counsels to APC, Mr Anthony Umeri, INEC, Mr Dike Udenna and Gov. Monday Okpebholo, Ms Linda Chuba-Ikpeazu, all urged the court to dismiss the petition on the grounds that it was an abuse of court process and also lacked merit.

The National Chairman of AA, Mr Adekunle Omoaje, had filed a petition on behalf of the party, premised on the fact that INEC failed to recognise the candidate of the party nominated for the governorship election.

He also said that INEC failed to recognise him as the National Chairman of the party despite the fact that he secured judgment to that effect.