Tribunal Begins Hearing Of Petitions Over Edo Gov Election

The Justice Yunusa Musa-led three-member Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, have commenced the hearing of four remaining petitions against Governor Godwin Obaseki and his deputy, Philip Shaibu.

The outcome of the petition in Benin, the capital of Edo, will determine the continuity of the duo in the office.

The four remaining petitions were filed by Action Democratic Party (ADP) and its governorship candidate, Iboi Emmanuel; Action Peoples Party (APP), without joining its governorship candidate, Amos Areloegbe; Allied Peoples Movement (APM), excluding its governorship candidate, Igbineweka Osamuede, and Tracy Agol, without joining her political party, the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).

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On December 11, 2020, the tribunal dismissed in a unanimous ruling, the petition filed by Action Alliance (AA) and its governorship candidate, Ukonga Onaivi, against Obaseki, PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission, for failing to file pre-hearing notice.

The four petitions are seeking the nullification of the September 19 re-election of Obaseki and his deputy (Shaibu), while calling for a fresh election in which neither PDP, Obaseki or his running mate should contest.

The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Saturday, dismissed a case of forgery brought before it by APC chieftain, William Edibor.

The petitions of APP and Agol were heard at Monday’s sitting, with hearing in the petitions to be concluded today (Tuesday), while APM’s petition would also be heard today (Tuesday), with only two days allowed for the petitioner to present all the witnesses and to also be cross-examined, as agreed upon, during the pre-hearing sittings.

The last petition, from ADP, would be heard tomorrow (Wednesday), with the petitioner to also have two days to call all the witnesses that would be immediately cross-examine by counsel to the respondents.