The Election Petition Tribunal for the September 21st Edo state governorship election has on the 8th of October, ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to release all electoral materials used during the polls to the People Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate Asue Ighodalo for inspection.
This is as the deputy governor-elect Dennis Idahosa and some youths, kept watch at INEC headquarters in Benin City.
Chairman of the tribunal Justice Wilfred Kpochi, granted the order in an ex-parte motion filed by Ighodalo.
The party motion with suit number EPT/ED/GOV/01M/2024 and dated September 27th, 2024 was filled by Rotimi Ogunseso (SAN), with Seun Olusuyi , counsel to the applicant.
In the petition sworn, all petitioners prayers were granted by tribunal.
The Certified True Copy (CTC), of the order signed by the Secretary of tribunal , Muazu Bagudu ordered INEC to produce and make available to the applicants all materials used for the election, before the pre-hearing session.
The documents at the election as listed by the applicants are; EC8A, EC8B, EC8D, EC25B and EC25B(I), and other forms used for the poll.
The court also ordered INEC to make all polling unit results, forms to uploaded to its INEC result Viewing (IREV) portal from the polling units and the lists of accredited agents of all the political parties that participated in the just concluded gubernatorial election.
However, some youths led by Idahosa, carrying the party flag, chanting APC, marched through the streets accusing Governor Godwin Obaseki of plotting to invade the INEC office.
One of the concerned youth voiced his opinion stating that;
“We are here at the INEC office today, October 8th, 2024, because, as of yesterday, we heard that the governor has mobilized to come and invade INEC premises. We are here as concerned youths and we will not allow that to happen. This is why we are here, to ensure stability, Law and order in this place”.
Also, security operatives were seen around the INEC premises in Benin city.
Feeling strongly about the results, the PDP alleged that the polls were manipulated by irregularities and swore to challenge Okpebholo’s declaration as the winner.
Recall, that this development came shortly after the Edo governorship election in which the APC candidate won.
