The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has yielded to growing pressure and submitted crucial evidence in the ongoing Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal. The Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines, which played a pivotal role in the controversial September 21st governorship election, were presented in court as part of the tribunal’s investigation into alleged electoral malpractices. This development could potentially shift the balance of the case, which centers on allegations of irregularities, over-voting, and miscalculated votes in favor of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
At the heart of the petition filed by Dr. Asue Ighodalo, the candidate from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), are serious allegations that INEC failed to uphold the integrity of the election process. The petition, marked EPT/ED/GOV/02/2024, accuses INEC of manipulating the results to favor the APC, specifically Governor Monday Okpebholo, who was declared the winner of the election.
The submission of the BVAS machines to the tribunal comes after weeks of intense legal maneuvering and public pressure, with supporters of the PDP demanding transparency and accountability from INEC. The BVAS machines are said to contain critical data that could reveal the extent of over-voting in several polling units, a claim made by Ighodalo and his legal team. According to Section 51(2) of the Electoral Act, any election result where the number of votes cast exceeds the number of accredited voters in a polling unit must be annulled. This provision could have major implications for the outcome of the election.
“In several polling units, the BVAS data reveals that the number of votes cast far exceeded the number of accredited voters,” said a source close to the PDP legal team. “This is a clear violation of the Electoral Act, and we believe it will play a significant role in our case.”
The presentation of the BVAS evidence has led to mixed reactions. For the PDP, it marks a moment of triumph, as they believe the submission of the machines will validate their claims of electoral malpractice. Jubilant PDP supporters gathered outside the tribunal building in Abuja, waving flags and chanting slogans in support of Ighodalo and the party’s legal efforts.
“We have always known that the truth would come to light,” said one jubilant PDP supporter. “This is a major victory for democracy and for the people of Edo State. The over-voting is proof that the election was rigged, and we are confident that justice will prevail.”
On the other hand, the APC and its supporters are facing a significant setback. Governor Monday Okpebholo, who is a key figure in the APC’s stronghold in Edo State, may now find himself grappling with the fallout from the BVAS revelation. Okpebholo’s victory in the election had been contested on the grounds of electoral irregularities, and the submission of the BVAS evidence has now put the legitimacy of his win into serious question.
Legal analysts predict that this submission could dramatically affect the trajectory of the tribunal’s deliberations. “The BVAS machines are crucial evidence,” explained a legal expert following the proceedings. “If they show that over-voting occurred in multiple polling units, the tribunal may be forced to annul the results from those units, which could have a significant impact on the overall election outcome.”
The Edo Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, which is led by Justice Kpochi, has adjourned its hearing until Friday, January 31, 2025. The tribunal has been under intense scrutiny, with many observers closely monitoring its handling of the case. The latest development is expected to intensify the pressure on INEC to provide further clarification on the election results and the validity of the BVAS data.
The tribunal’s decision on whether or not to annul the election results could have far-reaching consequences for the political landscape in Edo State. A ruling in favor of Ighodalo and the PDP could potentially alter the course of governance in the state, given the narrow margin by which Okpebholo was declared the winner. On the other hand, a ruling in favor of the APC could bolster INEC’s credibility and reinforce the legitimacy of the electoral process.
The PDP has remained steadfast in its pursuit of justice, emphasizing the need for a free and fair election in Edo State. “This is not just about our candidate; it’s about the future of democracy in Nigeria,” said a PDP official. “We are fighting for the people of Edo, and we will not back down until justice is served.”
