Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo and the All Progressives Congress have secured a first-round victory in the petitions challenging their win in the September 21, 2024 governorship election in Edo State, SAVANNAH NEWSNOW REPORTS.
The Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal dismissed a petition filed by the Action Alliance and Adekunle Rufai Omoaje against the governorship election winners, citing a lack of merit and frivolity.
The tribunal ruled that Omoaje lacked the legal standing to file the petition, as it did not concern election-related matters.
Furthermore, the tribunal noted that Omoaje did not participate in the election and therefore had no authority to question its validity.
The Tribunal also ruled that Omoaje’s complaint about the election was based on not being recognized as the National Chairman of the Action Alliance for nominating candidates.
However, it was determined that his claims were unfounded according to the Electoral Act of 2022. Omoaje had petitioned the Tribunal to declare the APC and Okpebholo’s victory in the election as null and void due to non-compliance with the Electoral Act.
He also alleged corruption and that Okpebholo and APC did not receive the majority of lawful votes. Furthermore, Omoaje claimed that AA was not allowed to nominate a lawful governorship candidate, as he had not signed the nomination form as National Chairman.
INEC had declared Okpebholo of the APC the winner with 291,667 votes, defeating Asue Ighodalo of the PDP, who received 247,655 votes.
