The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Wednesday urged the 2024 Edo Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal to dismiss the petition filed by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), which is challenging the victory of Governor Monday Okpebholo.
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The PDP is contesting the declaration of Okpbeholo as the winner of the September 21 election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which announced that Okpebholo secured 291,667 votes, defeating the PDP’s Ighodalo, who garnered 247,274 votes, and the Labour Party’s Olumide Akpata, who received 22,763 votes.
Earlier, the PDP had filed four motions seeking to expunge various paragraphs from the replies of INEC, APC, and Okpebholo to its petition.
In a motion argued by its counsel, Ferdinand Orbih, SAN, during the continuation of the pre-hearing sitting of the tribunal, the APC described the petition as incompetent. Orbih told the three-member panel, headed by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, that the PDP’s petition was not filed in accordance with the law, and argued that the tribunal lacked jurisdiction to entertain the matter.
Orbih also presented further grounds for seeking the petition’s dismissal, as outlined in the motion paper dated November 30, supported by a seven-paragraph affidavit.
In response, the PDP’s counsel, Ken Mozia, SAN, urged the tribunal to disregard the APC’s argument. Mozia explained that the petitioners had filed a reply and counter-affidavit to challenge the motion.
The tribunal’s chairman reserved ruling on the motion until the final day of the case.
In a separate motion, the APC sought to strike out certain paragraphs in the petition filed by the PDP and its candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo. Orbih requested that the tribunal rule on this application before hearing the petition.
However, the PDP’s counsel countered, urging the tribunal to dismiss the motion for lack of merit.
Justice Kpochi rejected the APC’s argument, stating that rulings on all preliminary motions would be delivered on the final judgment day.
The tribunal adjourned to Saturday, directing both parties to file a common proposal to guide the tribunal during the hearing.
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