The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its governorship candidate in the September 21, 2024 governorship election, Asue Ighodalo, continued their legal challenge at the election tribunal in Benin City, alleging widespread irregularities during the election. They are contesting the declaration of Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
During the hearing, the petitioners called three additional witnesses from three local government areas to support their claim that the election results were flawed. The witnesses testified about various irregularities that allegedly occurred during the conduct of the election in their respective areas.
One of the witnesses, Destiny Enabulele, stated that after reviewing election documents, he found discrepancies in Ovia South West Local Government Area, particularly in the absence of prior records for sensitive materials used in the election at 19 polling units. He also confirmed that he only participated in the making of the Form EC8C (ward collation result).
A mid-hearing drama unfolded when Babah Idenobhe from Etsako West Local Government Area claimed that over voting occurred in three polling units. However, it was discovered that some documents he relied on were certified by INEC in January 2025, even though his deposition was made in October 2024.
Another witness, Moses Agbukor, who served as the PDP’s Collation Agent in Etsako East, also testified to over voting and non-recording of sensitive materials before the election.
In response, legal representatives for INEC, Okpebholo, and APC raised objections about the admissibility of the tendered documents but reserved their arguments for the final written addresses. The tribunal chairman, Justice Wilfred Kpochi, provisionally admitted the documents into evidence and adjourned the session to continue on the next day.
