The Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has dismissed a second petition challenging the victory of Governor Monday Okpebholo and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2024 gubernatorial election.
Sitting at the National Judicial Institute (NJI) in Abuja on Wednesday, the tribunal struck out the petition filed by the Accord Party on multiple grounds. Similarly, a petition by the Action Alliance (AA) and its candidate, Adekunle Rufai Omoaje, was dismissed for lacking merit and being frivolous.
In its ruling, the tribunal held that Accord Party’s governorship candidate, Dr. Bright Enabulele, made unsubstantiated claims of ballot stuffing, voter harassment, and electoral malpractice but failed to identify any perpetrators. It further noted inconsistencies in the petitioners’ arguments—alleging non-compliance with the Electoral Act while simultaneously seeking to be declared winners of the same election.
The tribunal concluded that there was no substantial evidence to nullify Okpebholo’s election and dismissed the petition in its entirety. It also affirmed the validity of the election, declaring that it was conducted in compliance with the law and properly certified by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
With this ruling, Governor Okpebholo and the APC have successfully defended their victory against a second legal challenge to the September 21, 2024, election outcome.
