The 2024 Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has officially commenced its proceedings in Benin City, ahead of the scheduled pre-hearing sittings.
At the inaugural session, the Chairman of the three-member panel, Justice Wilfred Kpochi, commended the calm atmosphere in the courtroom and appealed to counsel to maintain professionalism and cooperation to ensure smooth proceedings throughout the process.
Representatives from various security agencies, including the police and the Department of State Services (DSS), also assured the tribunal that adequate security measures had been put in place to ensure a safe environment around the court’s premises.
The tribunal is currently handling seven petitions challenging the declaration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of Monday Okpebholo, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, as the winner of the September 21, 2024, election.
One of the petitioners, Asue Ighodalo, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate who finished second in the election, was present at the session, along with Tony Aziegbemi, the Chairman of the party’s state caretaker committee. However, Governor Monday Okpebholo, the APC candidate and declared winner, was absent from the proceedings.
The PDP candidate, Ighodalo, and Labour Party candidate Olumide Akpata, who came third in the election, were both among those contesting the outcome of the election. The petitions are expected to challenge the results officially declared by INEC on September 22, 2024.
