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• PDP trying to incite more violence, killings in Edo, APC alleges
Barely four months after its inaugural sitting, the Edo State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, will today in Abuja, deliver its judgment filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo, against the victory of the All Progressives Congress’s (APC) Governor Monday Okpebholo in the hotly contested September 21, 2024, election in the state.
But the judgment that should have been awaited with bated breath appears to have lost its thrill of suspense as allegations of a possible leak of the judgment, which a few discountenanced as the April Fool’s prank, made the rounds in Abuja, yesterday, which prompted The Guardian to interrogate the possibility of such a leak and its implications on judicial independence.
Responding to the alleged leak, a legal practitioner, Mudi Erhenede, said it would be the worst form of embarrassment to the judiciary if such a thing happened, noting, however, that the judges concerned may seek a remedy by amending the judgment to put a lie to the leaked document.
Erhenede maintained that none of the parties to litigation, even a third party, should be privy to the outcome of the judgment prior to its official release to the public and parties involved.
Another lawyer, Olajide Abiodun, a Notary Public and Vice chairman of Ikorodu Branch of Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), declared: “Regardless of its content, such a leak puts into question the sanctity of the judicial process.”
He remarked that the judiciary must conduct an internal investigation to determine the source of the leak, stressing that to maintain its reputation, judges should ensure strict confidentiality in handling future judgments to prevent external manipulation.
While recommending that disciplinary action should be taken against any judicial officer or court staff found responsible for the leak, Abiodun stated: “The possible consequence is public distrust in the Judiciary.
“If the public perceives that judgments can be leaked before official delivery, it may erode confidence in the fairness of the courts. The leak could be used as a basis to challenge the judgment at the Court of Appeal, arguing that due process was compromised.
“If the leak is found to be a result of external interference, a higher court may review the integrity of the decision-making process. Such a leak is a serious ethical and procedural violation.
“It raises questions about judicial confidentiality, potential political interference, and the credibility of election tribunals. Moving forward, measures must be implemented to safeguard the sanctity of judicial processes and restore public confidence in the judiciary.”
However, when contacted for comments on the import of the purported leaked judgment, Douglas Ubankpa differed from his colleagues, saying that it remains in the realms of speculation and, as such, does not merit a comment on it. He enjoined Nigerians to wait till it becomes materially factual.
Recall that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had on September 22, 2024, returned Senator Monday Okpebholo of the APC as the election winner.
According to INEC, details of the poll results showed that while Okpebholo and APC garnered 291,667 votes, his main challenger, Asue Ighodalo of the PDP, polled 247,274 votes, just as Labour Party’s Olumide Akpata, ended up as second runner-up with 22,763 votes.
However, piqued by claims of overvoting, ballot box stuffing and intimidation of his supporters, Ighodalo and PDP challenged the return of Okpebholo as the winner of the election at the three-member tribunal, headed by Justice Wilfred Kpochi.
DESPITE the raging debate over the leaked judgment, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress-led Edo State Government have all expressed confidence that the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal would deliver judgment in their favour. The three-man tribunal headed by Justice Wilfred Kpochi had reserved judgment in the petition after parties adopted their final written addresses on March 3, 2025
Speaking ahead of the judgment, the Edo State Government, the PDP, and the state chapter of the APC all expressed confidence that the tribunal would deliver judgment in their favour.
The governor, Monday Okpebholo, speaking through his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, sent a message of hope and unity to supporters, members of the ruling APC and residents in the state.
Okpebholo said he has full confidence in the judiciary and its ability to deliver a fair and just judgment.
He urged all state residents to maintain peace and order, noting that they have witnessed a vibrant and competitive electoral process and respect the legal avenues available to all parties.
“I want to emphasise that our state’s progress and development are paramount. We must not allow political differences to disrupt the peace and harmony we have worked so hard to build. I call on all political leaders, community leaders, and citizens to respect the rule of law, maintain peace and order, embrace unity, and avoid spreading misinformation.
“I have full confidence in our judiciary and its ability to deliver a fair and just judgment. I also have faith in the resilience and maturity of our people. Let us show the nation that we are people committed to democracy, peace, and progress. I thank you for your understanding and cooperation. May God bless our state,” the governor said.
Also, the state chapter of the PDP said it had diligently presented its case, backed by carefully delivered evidence. A statement by Chris Nehikhare, Publicity Secretary, PDP Caretaker Committee, said: “Our only wish is for the judges to be fair, transparent, and guided by the law. We trust that the verdict will reflect the evidence tendered, and we remain confident that we have done our part.”
The acting state chairman of the APC, Jarret Tenebe, also expressed hope of victory at the tribunal. Tenebe noted: “We are confident of victory because we have a good case, and our lawyers did well. If you challenge the outcome of an election or allege irregularities, you have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt, which the PDP failed to do.
“The witnesses they brought were hear-say witnesses, and you must be able to prove that the election was marred with irregularities or did not follow electoral process, but they didn’t prove all that. The judgment is on Wednesday, and APC and Governor Okpebholo will be victorious in continuing to provide democracy to the people of the state.”
He called on the party’s supporters and residents of the state to remain calm as the APC would emerge the winner at the tribunal. The tribunal was relocated to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) following a series of violent clashes between APC and PDP supporters.
MEANWHILE, the APC has accused its rival, the PDP, of working assiduously to cause anarchy and chaos in the state. At a media briefing yesterday, Tenebe alleged that the grand design is to have a state of emergency declared in the state. According to him, there is a grave conspiracy against the peace of the state from the PDP and its cohorts with the aim of forcing the President to declare emergency rule.
Tenebe alleged that the PDP has continued to devise what he described as “some reckless and dangerous plots to instigate crisis and make Edo ungovernable.” The PDP and its flagbearer had challenged the decision of INEC to declare APC and its candidate winner of the election. Since the commencement of the trial, and now that the verdict is about to be delivered, the two rival parties have engaged in bitter political brickbats.
The APC expressed regret that the PDP has been working very hard since the coming on board of Governor Okpebholo to compromise the peace and stability of the state.
“Their sinister objective is clear – they want to force President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in Edo because they have no confidence in securing victory at the Edo Election Petition Tribunal. In their desperation, they have resorted to acts of sabotage, hoping to manipulate public perception and judicial sentiment in their favour.
“As part of their plan, they have enlisted disbanded members of the Edo State Security Network to orchestrate acts of violence, as seen in Uromi, Esan North-East Local Government Area. The aim is to implicate the Edo State Government in these disruptions falsely, create a narrative that fosters chaos and sympathy for their failed cause,” Tenebe alleged.
The APC Chairman insisted that the vehement opposition by the PDP and its followers to the recent visit of Governor Okpebholo to the families of the victims of the Uromi killings in Kano State is an eloquent testimony to the involvement of the party in the unfortunate incident. To this end, the APC Chairman called on security agencies in the state to urgently arrest the leadership of the PDP in the state to nip in the bud their diabolical intentions.
“Furthermore, as a political party, we are going to formally write to foreign missions, embassies and other international bodies to extradite these fellows who keep inciting the public to commit acts of terrorism. They must be repatriated to Nigeria to face terrorism charges. The people of Edo State have spoken, and their mandate will not be stolen through underhand tactics.”
