Rita Odafe
PDP Introduces More Witnesses in Edo Election Dispute
On January 23, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) alongside its gubernatorial candidate, Asue Ighodalo, presented four additional witnesses at the Edo State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, aiming to support their allegations of electoral misconduct during the September 21 gubernatorial elections.
With this latest presentation, the total witnesses listed by the PDP has risen to 10, establishing a new record for the tribunal sessions.
The PDP is challenging the declaration made by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that Governor Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) won the election.
Among the allegations raised by the PDP are concerns regarding overvoting and discrepancies in the electoral results across various local government areas, including Esan North East, Oredo, Esan South East, and Esan Central.
Critical Accounts from Witnesses
1. Witness from Esan North East:
Igbarase Matthias, the PDP’s agent for Esan North East, reported instances of overvoting in nine polling stations, backing his claims with authenticated documents such as the Voter Register and relevant electoral forms.
He stated, “I thoroughly reviewed the certified documents from INEC prior to my statement.”
During cross-examination, he acknowledged that although PDP agents endorsed the election results, his testimony was supported by documented evidence and not firsthand observations from the polling stations.
2. Witness from Oredo:
Aigbe Ighodaro Lucky, representing Oredo LGA, asserted that there was overvoting in 66 polling units and claimed that INEC misrecorded the scores favoring the APC.
“I based my statement entirely on documents certified by INEC,” he remarked, adding that sensitive materials were not accurately recorded in Form EC25B.
Upon further questioning, he conceded that he had not directly inspected any BiVAS machines used in the polls but reiterated his reliance on documents provided by his party.
3. Witness from Esan Central:
Adekunle Oboh, the PDP agent for Esan Central, testified about irregularities in 23 polling units, pointing out the failure to record sensitive materials in INEC’s Form EC25B.
He stated, “The results sheets were signed by my party agents before I finalized Form EC8C.”
4. Witness from Esan South East:
Wilson Ibhawa, the collation agent for Esan South East, noted irregularities in five polling units, particularly citing missing serial numbers for sensitive materials in Form EC25B.
Justice Wilfred Kpochi, the tribunal chairman, temporarily recognized the documents submitted as evidence, awaiting any objections from the respondents’ legal representatives.
The tribunal has scheduled a continuation of witness testimonies for Friday, January 24, 2025.
