The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected the judgment delivered by the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, describing it as a “miscarriage of justice” and accusing the Tribunal of disregarding overwhelming evidence. In response to the ruling, the party has expressed its intention to appeal the decision at the Court of Appeal, insisting that it has the facts, the law, and the will of the people of Edo State on its side.
In a statement released shortly after the Tribunal’s verdict, the PDP Chairman in Edo State, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, voiced the party’s discontent, emphasizing that they believe the Tribunal failed to uphold the law despite clear evidence presented during the case. “We are proceeding to the Court of Appeal with the facts, the law, and the will of the Edo people firmly on our side,” the statement read.
At the heart of the PDP’s petition are allegations of widespread electoral irregularities, which the party claims marred the conduct of the governorship election. According to the PDP, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) failed to adhere to its own guidelines and allegedly manipulated the results across Edo State. The party further contended that Barrister Asue Ighodalo, their candidate, secured the majority of lawful votes and should have been declared the winner of the election.
The PDP has highlighted various issues during the election, including the improper collation and transmission of results, discrepancies in the certified result sheets, and the alleged failure of INEC officials to follow due process. To support its claims, the party has pointed to a forensic audit carried out by the Tap Initiative, which reportedly found significant discrepancies in the results, suggesting that many of the reported figures were manipulated.
In its ruling, the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal dismissed the PDP’s petition, affirming the victory of the incumbent governor. However, the PDP has rejected this outcome, with party officials asserting that the Tribunal’s decision was not in line with the facts. Barrister Anthony Ehilebo, Special Adviser on Media to Asue Ighodalo, expressed the party’s intention to challenge the decision at the Court of Appeal, citing alleged electoral manipulation and irregularities that were not sufficiently addressed by the Tribunal.
“We are duty-bound to challenge this decision at the appellate court,” Ehilebo said. “The evidence we presented was clear, and the Tribunal’s ruling overlooks the widespread issues we raised.”
In addition to the party’s internal claims, several civil society groups and international observers have also raised concerns about the integrity of the election. Yiaga Africa, a prominent Nigerian election monitoring group, alongside The Foundation for Investigative Journalism, has voiced apprehension over the transparency of the electoral process. These organizations have pointed to discrepancies in the certified results, further bolstering the PDP’s stance that the election was marred by irregularities.
A forensic audit carried out by the Tap Initiative also highlighted numerous irregularities, calling into question the validity of the results declared by INEC. These reports have provided further support for the PDP’s appeal, with the party reiterating that the Tribunal’s ruling ignored critical evidence that would have shown the true winner of the election.
The U.S. Mission in Nigeria has reportedly been following the appeal process closely. According to diplomatic sources, the U.S. government has expressed concerns over the conduct of the election and the Tribunal’s ruling. There are indications that visa restrictions may be imposed on individuals found to have undermined the electoral process, with the U.S. maintaining a watchful eye on the unfolding developments.
While the diplomatic community has not yet made any public statements, these reports underscore the international significance of the election dispute and the global interest in Nigeria’s electoral integrity.
Despite the Tribunal’s decision, the PDP remains steadfast in its position that the governorship mandate belongs to Asue Ighodalo. While some figures, such as Senator Monday Okpebholo, a rival candidate, have called for unity in the aftermath of the Tribunal ruling, the PDP has refused to back down. Okpebholo had previously urged the political parties to come together for the sake of the state’s progress, but the PDP leadership has made it clear that they will not accept the outcome.
Goodluck Osaretin, a prominent PDP member, reaffirmed the party’s commitment to pursuing justice through the appeal process. He stressed the importance of reclaiming what they believe to be a “stolen mandate.” He also pointed to historical examples where higher courts had overturned lower court rulings, citing similar cases in other states where Tribunal decisions had been reversed on appeal.
“We are confident that with the facts and evidence in our favor, the Court of Appeal will uphold the will of the Edo people,” Osaretin said.
The ongoing legal battle in Edo State is not the first time the state has experienced contentious governorship elections. In the past, election petitions and Tribunal rulings have sparked significant political and legal battles, with various parties challenging election results. These disputes often arise due to allegations of electoral malpractice, fraud, and the manipulation of results.
The current case mirrors similar instances in Nigerian politics, where opposition parties frequently accuse election bodies and incumbent governments of rigging the electoral process to favor certain candidates. These disputes have often led to protracted legal battles that sometimes stretch for years.
In recent elections, Nigerian courts have played a pivotal role in upholding or overturning electoral results. The Court of Appeal has, in several instances, made landmark rulings that have had significant implications for the country’s democratic processes. This context adds weight to the PDP’s decision to challenge the Tribunal’s ruling, as the party is hopeful that the appellate court will correct what it sees as a miscarriage of justice.
As the PDP prepares for its appeal at the Court of Appeal, all eyes are on the legal process that will unfold in the coming months. The outcome of the appeal could have significant consequences not only for the political future of Asue Ighodalo but also for the broader political landscape in Edo State and Nigeria as a whole.
If the Court of Appeal rules in favour of the PDP, it would likely lead to a reexamination of the election results, with the possibility of a new election or a shift in the power dynamics of the state. However, if the Tribunal’s ruling is upheld, the current governor’s mandate will remain intact, and the PDP will have to regroup and focus on future elections.
