The 2024 Edo Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal in Benin City became a heated arena on Wednesday as the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) exchanged legal arguments over a motion to dismiss the PDP’s petition.
The petition challenges the electoral victory of Governor Monday Okpebholo, declared the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Ferdinand Orbih, SAN, counsel for the APC, urged the tribunal to dismiss the PDP’s petition, describing it as legally flawed and non-compliant with the law. Orbih argued that the tribunal lacked jurisdiction to hear the case, backing his motion with a seven-paragraph affidavit filed on November 30.
In defense, PDP’s lawyer, Ken Mozia, SAN, countered the APC’s claims, urging the tribunal to dismiss the motion. Mozia highlighted that the PDP had filed a reply and counter-affidavit addressing the APC’s arguments.
Tribunal chairman, Justice Wilfred Kpochi, after hearing both sides, stated, “I have heard the arguments from both counsels, including the APC’s call for a ruling on its motion to dismiss the petition. The ruling will be delivered on the final day.”
In a separate motion, the APC sought to remove specific sections of the PDP’s petition. Orbih argued that these paragraphs should be addressed before hearing the main case. Mozia, however, described this move as baseless. Justice Kpochi maintained that all preliminary motions would be ruled upon alongside the final judgement.
Earlier, the PDP filed four motions requesting the removal of certain sections in the responses submitted by INEC, the APC, and Okpebholo. The tribunal adjourned the hearing to Saturday, directing all parties to submit a joint proposal for future proceedings.
This development heightens the legal tussle over Okpebholo’s declaration as the winner of the September 21 election, where he secured 291,667 votes, defeating PDP’s Asue Ighodalo, who polled 247,274, and the Labour Party’s Olumide Akpata, with 22,763 votes.
