The Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal
on Monday held its inaugural sitting ahead of the pre-hearing on petitions
challenging the declaration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate,
Senator Monday Okpebholo, as the winner of the September 21, 2024 poll.
The three-man panel, chaired by Justice Wilfred
Kpochi, includes AB Yusuf and AA Adewole as members. The tribunal was
inaugurated by its chairman, Justice Wilfred Kpochi.
Seven separate petitions, filed by the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP) and six other political parties along with their
candidates, are contesting the declaration of Senator Monday Okpebholo as the
winner of the 2024 governorship election.
During the inaugural sitting, Justice Wilfred Kpochi
called for decorum and cooperation from counsel to ensure smooth proceedings.
Counsel for both the petitioners and respondents
pledged to adhere to this directive.
The session saw the presence of the PDP governorship
candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, alongside representatives of the APC, PDP, other
political parties, and their legal teams.
Ahead of the pre-hearing stage, the tribunal adjourned
proceedings to next Wednesday, December 18, 2024, to allow the petitioners to
file processes and documents in response to the respondents’ applications.
The lead counsel for Dr Asue Ighodalo, Ken Mozia, SAN,
and counsel for Senator Monday Okpebholo, Festus Idekpefo, SAN, both expressed
readiness for the tribunal’s proceedings.
However, mild drama ensued as supporters of the PDP
and APC clashed outside the tribunal. Security personnel, including police and
DSS operatives, were on the ground to maintain order and ensure the safety of
all present.
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