The All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have each denied responsibility for the circulation of a purported judgment from the Edo State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal that surfaced online on Tuesday, ahead of the tribunal’s ruling on the case.
The APC’s Publicity Director, Bala Ibrahim, dismissed the leaked judgment as a fake document, accusing the PDP of leaking it in anticipation of their loss in the upcoming ruling. Ibrahim claimed that the PDP’s actions were intended to confuse the public and preempt the tribunal’s decision, expressing confidence that the ruling party would emerge victorious.
On the other hand, the PDP’s Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, accused the APC of using the fake judgment to gauge public reaction. Osadolor expressed his belief that the PDP would triumph in the case, citing what he considered as strong evidence and arguments from the tribunal hearings. He also warned President Bola Tinubu not to interfere with the tribunal’s decision, asserting that the tribunal’s proceedings indicated a likely victory for the PDP.
The case stems from a petition filed by the PDP and its governorship candidate, Asue Ighodalo, challenging the outcome of the September 21, 2024 governorship election in Edo State. The PDP and Ighodalo have contested the declaration of Governor Monday Okpebholo of the APC as the winner, alleging that the election was marred by irregularities, including over-voting and issues with ballot serialization.
The three-member tribunal, led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, announced on Tuesday that it would deliver its judgment on Wednesday, March 3. The petitioners, who brought 19 witnesses to testify before the tribunal, had sought to have Okpebholo’s victory nullified, citing multiple procedural errors in the election process. The APC, defending Okpebholo’s victory, presented four witnesses but failed to offer substantial rebuttal to the allegations, according to the PDP.
Reacting to the circulating judgment, Osadolor expressed confidence in the PDP’s chances and suggested that the APC was attempting to influence public opinion ahead of the ruling. He called for the judiciary to remain independent and deliver a fair judgment, free from external pressure.
In response, Ibrahim dismissed the PDP’s allegations, accusing them of having prior knowledge of the judgment’s circulation. He criticized the PDP for attempting to create confusion ahead of the tribunal’s decision, insisting that the APC had no involvement in the leak. Ibrahim maintained that the ruling party was optimistic about the tribunal’s outcome, asserting that justice would ultimately prevail in their favor.
As tensions rise ahead of the tribunal’s judgment, both parties are keenly awaiting the outcome of the case, which is expected to have significant political implications for the state of Edo and its future leadership.
