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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday called more witnesses before the Edo governorship election petition tribunal in a bid to challenge the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate, Monday Okpebholo, in the September 21, 2024 election.
The tribunal, led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, heard testimonies from five witnesses, who alleged cases of over-voting in their polling units, a claim vehemently disputed by APC, Mr. Okpebholo, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) through their legal teams.
The PDP, along with its governorship candidate, Asue Ighodalo, are contesting the election results, alleging irregularities in the process.
The petitioners have named INEC, Mr. Okpebholo, and APC as the 1st to 3rd respondents in the case, asking the tribunal to annul the election results.
Among the witnesses, the 15th petitioner’s witness (PW-15), Haruna Ibrahim, a 34-year-old businessman from Sabo Quarters, Auchi, adopted his witness statement.
During cross-examination by INEC’s lawyer, Kanu Agabi, SAN, Mr. Ibrahim admitted to signing the result sheet for his ward, but clarified that he did so only to obtain a copy for his party.
When Mr. Agabi suggested that his signature indicated the election’s credibility, Ibrahim disagreed, stating that he had protested over the results, though not in writing.
Under cross-examination by Mr. Okpebholo’s counsel, Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, Ibrahim stood by his claim of over-voting in his polling unit. Ikpeazu countered by referring to the result sheet, which he argued showed no evidence of over-voting.
Ibrahim insisted that the votes cast exceeded the recorded votes and claimed his protest for cancellation was rejected.
He further pointed out discrepancies between the figures on the result sheet presented at the tribunal and those recorded on election day.
Dan Orbih, representing the APC, also disagreed with the witness, emphasizing that the result sheet showed no over-voting.
Despite objections from the respondents’ legal teams, the tribunal admitted Ibrahim’s agent card as evidence and reserved judgment on its admissibility.
Other witnesses who testified included Esther Okuo, a 27-year-old farmer from Igarra in Akoko-Edo LGA (PW-16); Abubakar Uzairu, a teacher from Owan East LGA (PW-17); Asuluka Righteousness, a motorcyclist from Enwan in Akoko-Edo LGA (PW-18); and Mutairu Yusuf, a farmer from Agbede in Etsako West LGA (PW-19).
The tribunal adjourned further hearing until February 3.