Edo Tribunal: PDP Seeks ‘Mandate Reclaim’, SDP, ZLP, Others Want Poll Nullified

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State yesterday said the legal process to reclaim its stolen mandate is on course following a petition filed by the party’s candidate, Asue Ighodalo, at the election petition tribunal challenging the victory of the APC in the just concluded Edo gubernatorial poll.

The opposition party also maintained that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declaration does not reflect Edo Peoples’ wish over who governs them.

Edo State Chairman of the PDP, Tony disclosed this to newsmen at a briefing in Benin saying the APC didn’t have a chance of winning the just concluded Edo Governorship election held on Saturday, September 21st.

Aziegbemi said INEC as the electoral umpire didn’t play by the rules and engagement of the commission as it became obvious that it had compromised.

“We have filled our petition before the Election Tribunal on your behalf. I assure you that the journey to reclaim our mandate has begun, and by the grace of God, your mandate will be returned.”

He further alleged that the party’s intelligence unit has uncovered plans by the APC to burn INEC Office.

“We are alerting the security agencies of this devilish plan,” he said.
Meanwhile, four political parties that participated in the September 21, 2024 election, have filed petitions seeking the cancellation of the poll won bySenator Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) .

The petitioners aver that, “the 1st Respondent, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ought to have nullified the exercise and order a fresh election in Edo State where the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 and the Regulations and Guidelines for the conduct of Elections of the 1st Respondent shall be complied with.”

The parties are All People Movement (APM), All Peoples Party (APP), Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) and Social Democratic Party (SDP).

In their different petitions, they are challenging the results declared by the INEC in the Nine Local Government Areas won by the Peoples Democratic Party and one won by the APC.

The LGAs being challenged by ADP, SDP, ZLP and APM are: Esan North East, Esan South West, Igueben, Okpoba Okha, Orhionmwon, Ovia South West, Ovia North East and Uhunmwonde local government areas.

The aggrieved parties are also challenging the conduct of the election in Egor local government area that was won by the APC.

The petitioners aver separately that, “no winner can emerge from the election which was held in fundamental breach of the Electoral Act and Regulations and Guidelines for the conduct of the first respondent.”

They added that, “the failure by the Ist Respondent through its Presiding Officers to electronically transmit collated votes at polling units as required by law has rendered the votes allocated to the 2nd Respondent invalid and his declaration as winner of the Election a nullity.”

The Petitioners aalso averred that, “the votes accredited to the 2nd Respondent and indeed all the candidates for the Election are invalid votes having emanated from an election conducted in fundamental breach of the Electoral Act and Regulations and Guidelines for the conduct of Elections of the Ist Respondent.

“The Ist Respondent ought to have nullified the election and order a fresh election in Edo State where at the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 and the Regulations and Guidelines for the conduct of Elections of the Ist Respondent shall be complied with.”