Asue Ighodalo, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the Edo State governorship election, is not backing down. Despite facing setbacks in the Court of Appeal, he is determined to challenge Monday Okpebholo’s win at the Supreme Court.
The legal tussle began when the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal validated Okpebholo’s victory, a decision that was later upheld by the Court of Appeal in Abuja. Undeterred, Ighodalo remains resolute in seeking further adjudication.
“In a judgment on Thursday…the court unanimously held that the appeal…was unmeritorious and dismissed it,”
stated Justice M. A. Danjuma during the ruling.
The crux of the matter lies in allegations made by PDP and its candidate regarding irregularities during the election process. They claimed discrepancies in vote counting, lack of proper documentation for sensitive materials, and instances of over-voting favoring Okpebholo.
Despite presenting 19 witnesses and multiple exhibits before the tribunal, including Bimodal Voter Accreditation System machines used in polling units, Ighodalo failed to convince the court that Governor Okpebholo’s win was illegitimate.
The tribunal emphasized that proving electoral malpractice required more than just presenting evidence; it necessitated credible witness testimony and adherence to legal procedures. The absence of key witnesses such as polling unit agents and presiding officers weakened PDP’s case significantly.
Furthermore, allegations against INEC for failing to pre-record materials were dismissed due to lack of concrete proof that such actions directly impacted the election outcome. The tribunal ruled that mere speculation without substantiated evidence could not invalidate an election result.
Experts suggest that while legal battles are common post-elections, establishing substantial evidence is crucial for overturning results. Without strong witness testimonies and verifiable data demonstrating misconduct during voting processes, challenging election outcomes becomes an uphill battle.
Ighodalo’s decision to escalate this dispute to the Supreme Court reflects his unwavering commitment to seeking justice through legal means. The apex court will now play a pivotal role in determining the final verdict on this contentious issue unfolding in Edo State politics.
In a statement following his defeat at the Court of Appeal, Ighodalo affirmed his determination:
“I will take my case before the apex court.”
As both sides gear up for another round of legal confrontation, all eyes are on how this saga will unfold amidst heightened political tensions in Edo State.
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