A politician from Akoko Edo Local Government Area of Edo, Victor Eseigbe, on Thursday, testified as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) witness at the ongoing governorship election tribunal and insisted that the poll was marred by irregularities.
Eseigbe, who had the witness code: WW1M/9, gave his testimony while being led in evidence by the petitioners’ counsel, Ken Mozia (SAN), in Abuja.
The tribunal was moved to Abuja following reports of violence at the venue in Edo State.
The PDP and its governorship candidate, Asue Ighodalo are challenging Governor Monday Okpebholo’s victory in the September 21, 2024 governorship election in the state.
At Thursday’s sitting, three witnesses testified.
Eseigbe, while giving his evidence, identified and confirmed the submission of Form EC8A for 28 polling units, including certified copies and agents’ copies as exhibits.
However, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s counsel, Kanu Agabi (SAN), questioned the authenticity of the witness’s role during cross-examination.
He observed that the witness did not sign Form EC8B for Ward 9, which was used for ward collation.
“Since you did not sign, what proof do you have that you were a ward collation officer?” Agabi asked and the witness responded that he noticed irregularities which led him to refrain from signing the documents.
The counsel further raised questions on the validity of the witness’s testimony, emphasising that he did not personally document any of the election reports.
The discrepancies in accreditation figures emerged when APC’s counsel, Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), pointed out contradictions between figures recorded in the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) reports and those declared by INEC.
The tribunal adjourned its sitting till Friday.
