The petition filed by Accord Party against the victory of the All Progressives’ Congress and Senator Monday Okpebholo in the September 21, 2024 election has been dismissed by the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal.
According to the three-man tribunal, the petition lacked merit and was not backed with facts.
It further explained that the party and its candidate were unable to prove their case beyond reasonable doubt.
Accord Party requested that the tribunal should annul the election that produced Okpebholo and therefore order a fresh one stating that Okpebholo did not win the highest number of valid votes.
They also alleged electoral fraud, non-compliance with the Electoral Act, and irregularities like multiple thumb printing, violence and intimidation.
The tribunal however concluded that the petitioners failed to adduce concrete and sufficient evidence as to the specific polling units or wards where the alleged irregularities took place.
It also ruled that the first petitioner had no legal standing to file the case.
In a unanimous decision, the tribunal declared, “This petition is hereby struck out for incompetence and lack of jurisdiction.”