National/State Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal in Benin City has upheld the electoral victories of Sen. Adams Oshiomhole and Rep. Ihonvbere Julius in the Edo North Senatorial District and Owan Federal Constituency elections, respectively.
The three-member tribunal, led by Justice O.A. Chuioke, unanimously dismissed the petition filed by former Senator Francis Alimikhena of the PDP, citing a lack of merit.
In his petition (Suit No: EPT/ED/SEN/02/2023), Alimikhena alleged non-compliance with the Electoral Act, 2022, and the non-transmission of election results through the use of BIVAS machine to the IREV Portal.
Tribunal should dismiss the case
He sought to have Sen. Oshiomhole’s election declared null and void and requested that he be declared the winner or, alternatively, called for a rerun of the election.
Counsels representing Sen. Oshiomhole, INEC, and the APC strongly urged the tribunal to dismiss the case, asserting its lack of merit.
Unanimous dismissal of petitions
Delivering the tribunal’s unanimous judgement, Justice Alero Akeredolu stated that the petitioners had failed to substantiate their claims and produce relevant documents to prove non-compliance.
The tribunal found no grounds to support the petitioners’ case against Sen. Oshiomhole and, as a result, dismissed the petition in its entirety.
Additionally, the tribunal also dismissed the petition (marked EPT/ED/HR/03/2023) filed by Jimoh Iruokhaime Ijiegbai Ojeiu and the PDP against the declaration of Ihonvbere as the winner of the Owan Federal Constituency election.
The tribunal concurred with the arguments put forth by Mr. Ehiogie West-Idahosa (SAN), the lead counsel for Rep. Ihonvbere, that Ojeiu’s petition lacked merit and failed to establish a valid case.
These verdicts have solidified the electoral victories of Sen. Adams Oshiomhole and Rep. Ihonvbere Julius, representing Edo North Senatorial District and Owan Federal Constituency, respectively.
The tribunal’s decisions mark the conclusion of the legal challenges surrounding these elections, providing clarity and resolution to the electoral process in Edo North.
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Meanwhile, the Presidential Election Tribunal in Abuja is set to deliver its judgment on petitions challenging the election of President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday, September 6.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, representing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Peter Obi of the Labour Party, have both filed petitions before the PEPT, contesting the results of the February 25 presidential election, which saw President Bola Tinubu emerge victorious while running on the platform of the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).
