The Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has been relocated from Benin City to Abuja, reportedly due to security concerns and fears of potential violence. This decision, although not explicitly detailed in the Tribunal’s official statement, has sparked reactions and speculations among political parties involved.
The Secretary of the Tribunal, Mu’azu Bagudu Esq., issued a notice stating: “I am directed to notify all parties that the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Benin City, Edo State, has been relocated to Abuja at the National Judicial Institute (NJI), Airport Road, Abuja, effective from Monday, 27th January, 2025.”
A member of the tribunal reportedly explained the move, citing security challenges. “It is for security reasons. They have been having fights there and having clashes there, and there are fears that they will want to burn the place, so we have to do that for the safety of all,” the source told VANGUARD.
The decision has drawn reactions from the two main political parties. The All Progressives Congress (APC) Publicity Secretary, Peter Uwadiae-Igbinigie, accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of pushing for the relocation to avoid scrutiny.
He said, “The relocation was due to pressure from the PDP camp. First, they claimed that their witnesses do not feel free to come and give evidence. That is a far cry from the truth because their witnesses have access to the court.
“Principally, they have discovered to their serious surprise that the witnesses they so much relied on have been reduced to mere nothingness in court as they have not been able to add value to the PDP case with their evidence.
“They also feel that the media attention their fumbling witnesses are getting is not doing their case any good and they have been insisting that they want to go to an environment where interest and publicity will be reduced. Not too many people will want to go to Abuja for the case.
However, the PDP rejected the APC’s claims, stating that the relocation was necessary to ensure fairness and safety. Chris Nehikhare, Publicity Secretary of the PDP caretaker committee, said, “Given the nature of the case and the volume of concrete evidence presented by the witnesses, the Tribunal reckoned that it will be unsafe to continue the proceedings in Benin City following undue pressure and several threats by notable APC chieftains in Edo State to disrupt the Tribunal proceedings.
“It is believed that a neutral and more secure location not under the control of state and non-state actors was necessary in the interests of justice.”
Tensions around the tribunal have been high, with multiple reports of violent incidents. During one pre-hearing session, gunshots were reported near the tribunal after individuals believed to be PDP loyalists clashed with security operatives.
In another instance, suspected APC supporters attempted to prevent a Senior Advocate of Nigeria representing the PDP from accessing his vehicle, accusing him of prior misconduct during his time in government.
The situation worsened when thugs reportedly attacked a private bodyguard, accusing him of interfering in security matters. A separate altercation between a hooded DSS official and journalists outside the tribunal further added to the chaos.
