Tribunal: APC seeks dismissal of PDP’s petition against Okpebholo’s victory

Mr Orbih said that the tribunal lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the matter.

News Agency of Nigeria • December 18, 2024

Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo and APC logo

The All Progressives Congress has urged the 2024 Edo Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal to dismiss the petition filed by the People’s Democratic Party challenging the victory of Governor Monday Okpebholo.

The APC, in a motion argued by its counsel, Ferdinand Orbih, SAN, on Wednesday, described the PDP’s petition as incompetent.

Mr Orbih told the three-man panel, sitting in Benin City, that the PDP’s petition was not filed in accordance with the extant law.

Besides, he said the tribunal lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the matter.

According to Mr Orbih, further grounds for seeking the dismissal of the petition are contained in the motion paper dated November 30 and supported by a seven-paragraph affidavit.

In its counter-argument, the PDP, through its counsel, Ken Mozia, SAN, urged the tribunal to discountenance the submission of the APC.

Mr Mozia explained that the PDP had filed a reply and counter-affidavit to challenge the APC’s motion.

The tribunal’s chairman, Justice Wilfred Kpochi, however, reserved ruling on the motion until the final day of the case.

In another motion, APC asked the tribunal to strike out some paragraphs in the petition filed by the PDP and its candidate in the election, Asue Ighodalo.

Arguing the application, Mr Orbih urged the tribunal to deliver its ruling on the motion before it commenced hearing into the petition.

The PDP’s counsel, however, countered the application, urging the tribunal to dismiss the APC’s motion for lack of merit.

Mr Kpochi, however, discountenanced the argument of the APC, saying rulings on preliminary motions would be delivered on the final judgement day.

Earlier, the PDP also moved four different motions, calling on the tribunal to expunge various paragraphs in the replies of the Independent National Electoral Commission, APC, and Mr Okpebholo to its petition.

At the end, the tribunal adjourned to December 21 for the parties in the case to file a common proposal that would guide the tribunal during the hearing.

The PDP is challenging the declaration of Mr Okpebholo as the winner of the September 21 election by the INEC.

The INEC said Mr Okpebholo polled 291,667 votes to defeat PDP’s Ighodalo, who recorded 247,274 votes.

(NAN)

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