A chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, Mr. Edo Osahon, has alleged that plans by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state to use some traditional rulers in the South West to get the Presidency’s support have fallen flat.
According to Osahon, as part of a last-ditch effort to sway the outcome of the tribunal judgment, the Edo PDP also attempted to enlist the support of the traditional rulers to seek an audience with President Bola Tinubu with a view to negotiating a favourable outcome at the tribunal.
In a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, Osahon said, “This desperate bid and surprising turn of events by the PDD and its candidate have ultimately fallen flat, according to our sources.”
According to him, PDP leaders have been visiting traditional palaces to help persuade the daughter of President Tinubu to reach her father, seeking to leverage the influence of the president to sway the tribunal’s decision.
“What we know is that such a plan cannot work. Nobody can influence the tribunal which is made of erudite jurists,” Osahon said.
“Those hoping to get to our president to help with their case are on a fruitless journey. Mr President has always allowed processes and systems to work.”
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Okpebholo the winner of the September 21, 2024, election after securing 291,667 votes against Ighodalo of the PDP, who polled 247,274 votes.
However, after rejecting the results announced by the INEC, approached the tribunal to challenge the outcome.
On Wednesday, January 17, 2025, Justice Wilfred Kpochi-led three-member 2024 Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal EPT, commenced a full hearing of the seven petitions challenging the declaration of Governor Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress APC, as the winner of the 2024 Edo State Governorship Election.
Osahon added that, “Before long, it was learned that there is a new plan again to disrupt the Tribunal sitting in Abuja, owing to what is perceived as inability of their witnesses who failed to present proof that they won the election.”