The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday called more witnesses in the petition challenging Governor Monday Okpebholo’s victory in the September 21, 2024 governorship election in Edo State
Five witnesses testified before Justice Wilfred Kpochi-led three-member panel of the Edo governorship election petition tribunal sitting in Abuja.
The witnesses alleged instances of over-voting in their polling units during the election.
The PDP and its governorship candidate, Asue Ighodalo, are challenging the outcome of the election over alleged widespread irregularities in the exercise.
They prayed the tribunal to nullify the election results, alleging that the process was riddled with irregularities.
The petitioners’ 15th witness, Haruna Ibrahim, who was led in evidence by their counsel, Rotimi Ogunesan (SAN), adopted his witness statement.
During cross-examination by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) lawyer, Kanu Agabi (SAN), Ibrahim admitted to signing the result sheet for his ward.
However, he clarified that he did so only to obtain a copy for his party.
When Agabi suggested that signing the result sheet indicated the election was credible, the witness disagreed.
Agabi then asked whether Ibrahim had lodged a formal protest regarding his grievances.
He said: “I made a complaint to the unit officer. I protested, but not in writing. I did not file a written complaint.”
While being cross-examined by Okpebholo’s counsel, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), the witness reiterated his claim of over-voting in his polling unit.
Ikpeazu, however, countered his statement by referring to the result sheet, which he said showed no over-voting.
“Look at the ward result containing your polling unit. The reconciled result shows no over-voting,” Ikpeazu said while displaying the document.
“In this paragraph, column 7, that is my unit column. We had over-voting in that unit.
“The total votes cast exceeded the recorded votes. I made an official protest, but my efforts for cancellation were declined,” the witness insisted.
