The Edo State High Court was thrown into chaos on Monday as suspected political thugs attacked supporters of parties challenging the results of the September 2024 governorship election.
The Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal had just begun its pre-hearing in Benin, addressing petitions challenging the results declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
However, the session was abruptly disrupted when unknown individuals, believed to be political thugs, stormed the court premises.
The attackers targeted supporters of the seven political parties that have filed petitions disputing the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
As the violence unfolded, security operatives rushed to the scene, blocking the entrance to the court and setting up roadblocks around the area to prevent further escalation.
This violent interruption has raised concerns over the safety and integrity of the ongoing election petition process.
The Election and the Dispute
On September 22, 2024, INEC declared APC candidate Monday Okpebholo the winner of the Edo State governorship election, with 291,667 votes.
This result saw Okpebholo defeat the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Asue Ighodalo, who secured 247,274 votes, and Labour Party’s Olumide Akpata, who received 22,763 votes.
However, the result has been contested by Ighodalo and six other political parties, who have filed petitions with the tribunal, seeking to overturn the declared outcome.
The PDP, in particular, has called for the tribunal to annul the results and declare Ighodalo the winner of the election.
The Tribunal and the Petitions
The election petition tribunal, led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, has received a total of seven separate petitions from the PDP and other political parties, including the Accord Party, Alliance Party, Social Democratic Party, Allied Peoples Movement, Action Democratic Party, and Zenith Labour Party.
The tribunal’s job is to assess these petitions and determine if there were irregularities in the election process that could justify a change in the election outcome.
The tribunal was inaugurated just one week before the election by the National Judicial Council, and its Secretary, Muazu Bagudu, confirmed that the pre-hearing sessions were scheduled to begin on December 9, 2024.
Despite the disruption, the tribunal is expected to continue with its work, though the attack has raised fears of escalating violence as the case progresses.
Violence Outside the Courtroom
The attack occurred outside the Edo High Court, where supporters of the petitioning political parties had gathered in solidarity.
Eyewitnesses report that the thugs appeared to target only those supporting the opposition parties, leaving APC supporters unharmed.
Several individuals were injured in the violence, though details about the extent of the injuries remain unclear.
A few of the supporters were seen fleeing the area, while others attempted to shield themselves from the attackers.
The motives behind the attack remain unclear, but some political analysts suggest it could be linked to attempts to intimidate or disrupt the legal proceedings challenging the APC’s victory.
Security and Legal Concerns
Following the attack, the police and other security forces immediately took action, but many are questioning whether enough was done to prevent such violence.
“I was shocked by the violence today,” said a witness outside the courtroom. “We thought this tribunal would be a peaceful process, but now we are worried for our safety as the case moves forward.”
A representative of the National Judicial Council, speaking under condition of anonymity, expressed concerns over the growing atmosphere of tension surrounding the election petitions.
“We urge the security agencies to ensure that the tribunal proceedings are not interfered with,” the source said. “This incident is deeply troubling and could have a negative impact on public trust in the electoral system.”
The Ongoing Dispute and Potential Implications
As the political landscape in Edo State remains tense, all eyes are on the tribunal to see how it will address the seven petitions.
The outcome of this legal battle is crucial, as it could determine whether Okpebholo’s victory will stand or if the opposition parties will see their claims validated.
The violence outside the courtroom has only added fuel to the fire, as many now worry that future sessions may be met with further disruptions.
With political tensions running high and the specter of violence looming, it remains to be seen how the authorities will ensure a peaceful and fair resolution to the dispute.
