The Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has upheld the victory of Governor Monday Okpebholo in the 2025 Edo State gubernatorial elections. The tribunal, in a series of decisions, dismissed the petitions filed by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the Action Alliance (AA), and the Accord Party, affirming Okpebholo’s election as valid.
In the tribunal’s ruling, the petition filed by the PDP, which had contested the results of the election, was found to be without merit. The PDP had alleged widespread irregularities in the election, including accusations of overvoting, but the tribunal determined that the opposition party failed to provide substantial evidence to support its claims.
One of the key findings of the tribunal was that the PDP did not call critical witnesses to testify on the alleged irregularities, particularly those related to overvoting. The party’s legal team had claimed that there were instances of voting beyond the official number of voters in some polling units, but they failed to provide polling unit agents from the affected areas to corroborate their allegations.
The tribunal highlighted that, although the PDP called 19 witnesses, only 14 of them were ward and local government agents, and they failed to offer any direct evidence about the alleged electoral irregularities. The tribunal also noted that the PDP’s star witness, who claimed to be the Director of Strategy for the party, did not have any firsthand knowledge of the election process and therefore, could not be deemed credible.
Furthermore, the tribunal rejected the BVAS (Biometric Voter Accreditation System) documents submitted by the petitioners, stating that they were presented in a way that was inadequate for proving any of the claims made. The tribunal described the BVAS data as being “dumped,” implying that the submission lacked proper organization and context for it to be useful in the case.
In its ruling, the tribunal emphasized that the petitioner’s case was based largely on assumptions and a lack of evidence. Despite claims from the PDP and other opposition parties, the tribunal found that the election was conducted fairly and in accordance with the law.
This ruling is a significant win for Governor Okpebholo and his party, as it not only confirms his position as the rightful winner of the election but also sets a strong precedent for future election petitions in the state. Okpebholo’s administration has already begun implementing several key projects aimed at improving infrastructure, healthcare, and education in the state, and the affirmation of his election victory is expected to give his government more political stability as it moves forward.
The PDP, however, expressed disappointment with the tribunal’s decision. The party’s legal team indicated that they would consider appealing the ruling in a higher court. They maintain that the election was marred by irregularities and that the tribunal’s decision does not reflect the true will of the people.
Meanwhile, the other parties, the Action Alliance and the Accord Party, also had their petitions dismissed. Both parties had raised similar issues regarding election malpractice and alleged vote manipulation, but their claims were equally deemed unsubstantiated by the tribunal.
The decision has generated mixed reactions across the state. While supporters of Governor Okpebholo have celebrated the ruling as a victory for democracy, critics argue that it underscores the ongoing challenges faced by opposition parties in challenging election results. Many observers have pointed out that the ruling demonstrates the complexity of the Nigerian electoral system, where even when allegations of irregularities are made, it can be difficult to secure a successful petition without clear and convincing evidence.
For the PDP and other opposition parties, the tribunal’s ruling represents yet another setback in their attempts to displace Okpebholo and his party from power. Critics have long claimed that Nigeria’s election tribunals are often biased in favor of incumbents, making it harder for opposition parties to win such cases.
In the aftermath of the tribunal’s decision, the focus will likely shift to the next phase of governance in Edo State. Governor Okpebholo has vowed to continue with his development agenda, prioritizing job creation, infrastructure development, and healthcare reforms. His government has also promised to address the issue of insecurity in the state, which has been a growing concern for residents.
Despite the ruling, the political landscape in Edo State remains tense, with ongoing debates about the fairness of the election process. Observers are watching closely to see whether the PDP and other parties will take further legal action or accept the tribunal’s decision and focus on future elections.
