Edo Election Tribunal: Thugs Invade Court Premises, Chase Away Party Supporters
By Simeon OSAJIE
Some thugs today stormed the Edo State High Court premises in Benin, venue of the sitting of the Edo 2024 Election Petitions Tribunal hearing cases filed by the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), and six other political parties against the declaration of Senator Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) winner of the September 21, 2024 governorship election in the state.
A viral video in social media platforms viewed by The9JaTREND exposed people believed to be supporters of the different political parties running in different directions within the court premises as they were chased by thugs who pelted them.
Recall that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), had on Sunday, September 22, 2024, declared Okpebholo winner of the fiercely contested poll, after garnering 291,667 votes to defeat candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP), Dr. Asue Ighodalo and Barr. Olumide Akpata who scored 247, 274 and 22,763 votes respectively.
Rejecting the results, the PDP and six other political parties who participated in the poll approached the tribunal to challenge Okpebholo’s victory.
The three-man tribunal headed by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, is expected to hear seven petitions filed by different political parties and their candidates. The PDP wants the tribunal to nullify the result and instead, declare its candidate, Asue Ighodalo, winner of the election.
Political parties challenging Okpebholo/APC’s victory are Allied Peoples Movement, APM; Action Democratic Party, ADP; and Zenith Labour Party, ZLP; Alliance Party, AA; and Social Democratic Party (SDP).
Governorship candidate of the PDP, Asue Ighodalo, was at the tribunal for the pre-hearing session of the matter.
Security agents have however taken control of the premises and sealed the entrance to the court room.
