Documents alleged to be the judgement of the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal have been leaked online.
Though, this is coming barely 24 hours after the tribunal, headed by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, is expected to deliver its ruling on Wednesday on the off cycle controversial poll held last year.
However, leaked documents suggest a two-to-one ruling dismissing the petition lodged by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo.
Recall that the three-member panel had on March 3 reserved its judgement on the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Asuerinme Ighodalo, challenging the outcome of the September 21, 2024, governorship election.
According to the documents sighted by News Band Newspaper, while Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Kpochi, and member 1 of the tribunal, Justice A. B. Yusuf, dismissed the petition and affirmed the election of Governor Monday Okpebholo, the third member of the panel, Justice A. A. Adewole, ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to issue fresh Certificate of Return to Ighodalo of the PDP as the authentic winner of the poll.
In the said minority judgement, Justice Adewole held that Governor Okpebholo’s election was null and void by reason of non-substantial compliance with provisions of the Electoral Act.
He held that the 2nd Respondent, governor Okpebholo, was not duly elected by a majority of lawful votes cast and proceeded to nullify his return as the winner of the gubernatorial contest.
“The petitioners case was not rebutted and 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,” Justice Adewole was credited to have held in the leaked documents.
See documents below:
