Edo Tribunal: Ighodalo Presents Witnesses Against Okpebholo’s Victory
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the September 21, 2024 Edo State governorship election, Asue Ighodalo, has called three witnesses from different local government areas to back his claim of electoral malpractice in the election.
At the tribunal sitting in Benin City, Ighodalo and the PDP challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) declaration of Monday Okpebholo, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, as the winner.
The witnesses testified about alleged irregularities in the electoral process in their respective local government areas.
Destiny Enabulele, one of the witnesses, testified under the guidance of petitioners’ counsel, Abiodun Owonikoko, SAN.
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He stated, “These are documents I examined carefully to arrive at my witness statement on oath. There was no prior recording of sensitive materials deployed by INEC to 19 polling units in Ovia South West Local Government Area.”
When asked by the respondents’ counsel if he was involved in preparing the documents used to support his claims, Enabulele clarified that he only contributed to Form EC8C, which records ward collation results.
A dramatic moment unfolded when Babah Idenobhe, a witness from Etsako West Local Government Area, alleged over-voting in three polling units (021-023).
However, discrepancies were noted, as some of the documents he relied on for his testimony were certified by INEC on January 8, 2025, while his witness statement on oath was dated October 10, 2024.
He explained, “One of the materials I took into consideration in my deposition is the original certified true copies of polling units results, photographed with the BIVAS machines.”
Another witness, Moses Agbukor from Etsako East Local Government Area, served as a collation agent for the PDP in the area.
He also alleged over-voting and claimed there was no prior recording of sensitive materials.
In response, counsel representing INEC, Okpebholo, and the APC—Kanu Agabi, SAN, Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, and Emmanuel Ukala, SAN—objected to the tendered documents but reserved their arguments for their final written addresses.
Tribunal Chairman Justice Wilfred Kpochi provisionally admitted the documents into evidence and adjourned the hearing to continue today.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
