The Independent National Electoral Commission -INEC Is Set To Begin Calling Its Witnesses Before The Edo State Election Petition Tribunal In Abuja Today.
This Follows The Closure Of The Petitioners’ Case Last Monday. The Petitioners, The Peoples Democratic Party And Its Governorship Candidate In The 2024 Edo State Polls, Asue Ighodalo, Are Challenging INEC’s Declaration Of Monday Okpebholo Of The All Progressives Congress As The Winner Of The September 21, 2024 Governorship Election.
The Petitioners Are Seeking The Nullification Of The Election Result, Alleging That INEC Declared The Wrong Winner. According To INEC’S Official Results, Okpebholo Secured Two Hundred And Ninety-one Thousand Six Hundred And Sixty-seven Votes, Defeating Ighodalo, Who Garnered Two Hundred And Forty-seven Thousand Six Hundred And Fifty-five Votes.
The Petitioners Contend That The Election Was Marred By Non-compliance With The Electoral Act, Highlighting Issues Such As Alleged Overvoting And The Collation Of Incorrect Figures At The Centres. Some Of The Petitioners’ Witnesses Testified That It Was The Reason They Refused To Sign The Result Sheets At Their Respective Wards And Polling Units.