1 day Ago By Usman A. Bello, Benin City
By Usman A. Bello, Benin City Ahead of the judgment of the Edo State Governorship Election Tribunal today, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State have expressed confidence in securing victory. The PDP and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo, are challenging the decision by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to declare Sen.
Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as winner of the September 21, 2024 governorship election. They alleged that the election was marred by irregularities. The three-member tribunal, headed by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, had, on March 3, reserved judgment in the petition after parties adopted their final written addresses.
Speaking to Daily Trust in Benin yesterday, the acting chairman of APC in the state, Jarret Tenebe, said his party is optimistic about a favorable outcome. “We are confident of victory because we have a strong case, and our lawyers have done an excellent job,” he said. “If you challenge an election or allege irregularities, you must prove your case beyond a reasonable doubt, which the PDP failed to do,” he stated.
“The judgment is tomorrow (today), and APC and Governor Monday Okpebholo will emerge victorious to continue delivering the dividends of democracy to the people of the state,” he added. On the other hand, the publicity secretary of the PDP caretaker committee, Chris Nehikhare, also expressed optimism about his party’s chances. He said the PDP had diligently presented its case with carefully documented evidence.
“Our only wish is for the judges to be fair, transparent, and guided by the law. We trust that the verdict will reflect the evidence tendered. We remain confident that we have done our part,” Nehikhare said.
Meanwhile, Governor Okpebholo has urged all residents of the state to maintain peace and order. In a statement by Fred Itua, his Chief Press Secretary, the governor said, “We have witnessed a vibrant and competitive electoral process, and I respect the legal avenues available to all parties. The tribunal’s decision is a crucial part of our democratic process, and we must all respect its authority.
” “I have full confidence in our judiciary and its ability to deliver a fair and just judgment. I also have faith in the resilience and maturity of our people,” he added. Unlock AI's potential! Get top prompts for content, blogs, social media, research, draft proposals and more.
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