Politics

Edo tribunal: PDP and APC clash over alleged threats to witnesses

The ongoing Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal saw a heated clash between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Thursday, as both parties exchanged accusations over alleged threats to witnesses.

The drama unfolded shortly after the tribunal panel, led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, began its session. Ken Mozia, SAN, the lead counsel for the PDP and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo, claimed that some of their witnesses, scheduled to testify in the case, had been threatened. Mozia stated that although the names of the witnesses were disguised with acronyms, their identities were known because of their involvement in the September 21, 2024, governorship election.

“My lord, we gave them (respondents) the list of witnesses. But what they did to some of those witnesses was beyond imagination, to the extent that some of them are afraid to come and testify,” Mozia explained.

He went on to say that he had previously raised the matter with Emmanuel Ukala, SAN, the APC’s counsel, but his concerns were dismissed.

In response, Ukala dismissed the allegations, saying that the petitioners knew what steps to take if their witnesses were truly threatened. This triggered a sharp back-and-forth between the legal teams, with the tribunal’s chairman, Justice Kpochi, stepping in to maintain order. Justice Kpochi urged the petitioners to provide the respondents with a list of witnesses in advance to avoid further confusion.

Despite the tension, PDP’s Ward Agent from Akoko-Edo LGA, Eseigbe Victor, took the witness stand to testify for the petitioners. The PDP is challenging the results of the election, in which APC’s Monday Okpebholo was declared the winner with 291,667 votes, defeating Ighodalo, who secured 247,655 votes.

The petitioners argue that the election was marred by violations of the Electoral Act and that Okpebholo did not secure the highest number of lawful votes. They are asking the tribunal to annul the election and declare Ighodalo the rightful winner.

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