The Edo governorship election petitions tribunal is set to hear seven petitions challenging the victory of Governor Monday Okpebholo in the September 21 poll.

The petitions were submitted by the Peoples Democratic Party and six other political parties.

According to the cause list, the other parties are the Accord Party, Action Alliance, Social Democratic Party, Allied Peoples Movement, Action Democratic Party, and Zenith Labour Party.

In his inaugural address, Justice Wilfred Kpochi, chairman of the three-member panel, canvassed for the cooperation of all parties in the case, particularly the legal representations.

Mr Kpochi lauded the calmness in the courtroom but raised concerns about the influx of party supporters into the premises.

Other tribunal members are Justices K. B. Yusuf and A. A. Adewole.

Ken Mozia, leading the PDP legal team, and Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, leading Mr Okpebholo’s team, promised that the parties would be professional in their trade before the tribunal.

They assured the tribunal that the supporters would be engaged so as to ensure the place was not rowdy or create commotion throughout the judicial exercise.

Subsequently, the PDP case against the governor went into pre-hearing, where all parties adopted their exchanged written responses.

The tribunal adjourned until December 18 for hearing of preliminary motions in this case as well as adoption of addresses of the six others. 

(NAN)