Edo State Election Drama: Leaked Tribunal Judgment Sparks Controversy

Leaked Tribunal Judgment Creates Stir Just Days Before Formal Delivery

Things are heating up in Edo State as a document claiming to be the tribunal's judgment in the governorship election petition has surfaced online. This happened just one day after the tribunal summoned all parties involved to appear before it. It’s like a political thriller unfolding right before our eyes, with twists and turns that keep everyone on edge.

Let me paint the picture for you: back on March 3, 2025, the three-member panel, led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, reserved its judgment in a high-stakes petition. The petition was filed by none other than the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo. They’re challenging the outcome of the September 21, 2024, governorship election in Edo State, where Governor Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was declared the winner.

Fast forward to Tuesday, April 1, 2025, when the tribunal directed all parties to return the following day, Wednesday, for the formal delivery of the judgment. But then, something unexpected happened. According to reports by Vanguard, what appeared to be a leak of the judgment documents surfaced online, revealing a split decision by the tribunal. This leak has sparked a lot of debate and speculation, adding more fuel to the already fiery political atmosphere.

Read also:

Online Vs Landbased Casinos A Modern Perspective

Split Decision: A Tale of Two Opinions

The leaked documents show a two-to-one split in the tribunal’s ruling. Justice Kpochi and Justice A.B. Yusuf dismissed the petition, standing firm on their decision. However, Justice A.A. Adewole issued a minority judgment, arguing for the issuance of a fresh Certificate of Return to Ighodalo of the PDP, declaring him the legitimate winner of the election. This minority opinion has created quite the stir and has left many questioning the integrity of the electoral process.

In the leaked minority judgment, Justice Adewole argued that Governor Monday Okpebholo’s election was invalid due to non-substantial compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act. He highlighted serious discrepancies that, in his opinion, warranted a reversal of the election outcome. Justice Adewole noted that the petitioners, Ighodalo and the PDP, had shown convincing evidence that the total votes should have been 243,113 for Ighodalo, with Okpebholo’s tally standing at 210,326. This would have completely flipped the election results, making Ighodalo the rightful winner.

Justice Adewole was quoted in the leaked documents, saying, “The petitioners’ case was not rebutted, and they showed unit by unit how the actual total should be 243,113 votes, while the 2nd Respondent’s tally should stand at 210,326 votes—a clear reversal of the declared result.” This statement has resonated with many who believe that the electoral process was flawed and needs to be revisited.

Majority Rules: The Tribunal’s Final Verdict

On the other side of the table, the tribunal’s chairman, Justice Kpochi, delivered the majority ruling. He acknowledged that there was credible evidence of non-compliance, particularly regarding issues like the failure to record serial numbers in EC 25B forms and over-voting. However, the tribunal found that the petitioners failed to prove that these violations had substantially impacted the election result.

Justice Kpochi stated that while there were instances of incorrect collation and exclusion of results, the petitioners did not provide enough mathematical or documentary evidence to demonstrate that the margin of victory was affected or that they had scored the highest number of lawful votes. The tribunal’s majority ruling read, “The petitioners have not discharged the dual burden to the satisfaction of the law. Accordingly, the petition lacks merit and is hereby dismissed.” This decision has left many dissatisfied, especially those who believe the electoral process was compromised.

INEC’s Declaration and the Petitioners’ Argument

Let’s rewind a bit and look at the initial declaration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). They declared Governor Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) the winner of the election, with 291,667 votes, defeating his closest rival, Ighodalo of the PDP, who secured 247,655 votes. Ighodalo and the PDP, dissatisfied with the outcome, approached the tribunal, arguing that the election was marred by non-compliance with the Electoral Act, 2022.

Read also:

Top Casino Games With The Best Winning Odds

The petitioners contended that INEC had failed to properly serialize and pre-record certain sensitive materials used in the election, which they argued contributed to alleged rigging in favor of the APC and its candidate. The petition, marked EPT/ED/GOV/02/2024, questioned the legitimacy of Okpebholo’s victory, claiming that he did not secure the highest number of lawful votes in the election.

This case has not only highlighted the flaws in the electoral process but has also sparked a broader conversation about the need for transparency and accountability in our elections. As we wait for the formal delivery of the judgment, the eyes of the nation are on Edo State, hoping for a resolution that upholds the principles of democracy and justice.