The All Progressives Congress (APC) has requested the dismissal of the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the 2024 Edo Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, challenging the victory of Governor Monday Okpebholo.
At the tribunal sitting in Benin on Wednesday, APC’s counsel, Ferdinand Orbih, SAN, described the PDP’s petition as incompetent and lacking merit.
Orbih argued that the petition was not filed in compliance with extant laws, thereby rendering the tribunal without jurisdiction to entertain the matter.
Citing further grounds, Orbih referred to a motion paper dated November 30, supported by a seven-paragraph affidavit, seeking the dismissal of the petition.
In response, PDP’s counsel, Ken Mozia, SAN, opposed the APC’s motion, urging the tribunal to disregard its submission.
Mozia noted that the PDP had filed a reply and counter-affidavit to challenge the motion.
The tribunal’s chairman, Justice Wilfred Kpochi, reserved ruling on the motion until the final day of the case.
In a separate motion, the APC also requested the tribunal to strike out specific paragraphs in the petition filed by the PDP and its governorship candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo.
Orbih argued that the tribunal should deliver its ruling on the motion before proceeding to hear the petition.
However, Mozia countered, urging the tribunal to dismiss the APC’s motion, describing it as lacking merit. Justice Kpochi dismissed the APC’s request, stating that rulings on all preliminary motions would be delivered alongside the final judgment.
Earlier, the PDP had filed four separate motions, seeking to expunge certain paragraphs from the replies of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), APC, and Governor Okpebholo to its petition.
The tribunal adjourned proceedings to December 21, directing all parties to file a common proposal to guide the tribunal during the hearing.
Background
The PDP is challenging INEC’s declaration of Governor Monday Okpebholo as the winner of the September 21 election.
According to INEC, Okpebholo secured 291,667 votes to defeat the PDP candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, who garnered 247,274 votes.
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