The Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has commenced sitting on petitions filed by political parties challenging the declaration of governor Godwin Obaseki, as winner of September 19 governorship election.
Obaseki of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was declared winner of the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), having scored highest number of votes.
- Edo Election: I’ll not file case at election petition tribunal — Ize-Iyamu
- Asiwaju Tinubu and Edo Election
The political parties challenging the result are; Action Democratic Party (ADP), Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), Allied Peoples Movement (APM) and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).
Speaking during the inaugural sitting on Friday in Benin City, the tribunal’s chairman, Justice Abdulrazaq Abdulkareem, assured of completing the five petitions before the tribunal within the stipulated time frame.
He also assured that the tribunal would perform its duties without prejudice for any party.
“We also pledge not to lend ourselves to any form of external influence,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the counsels, Ken Mozia (SAN) assured the tribunal of counsel’s cooperation, promising that they would do their best to file their applications within the specified time frame.
During the sitting, the petitioners sought for an ex parte motion for substituted service on respective respondents.
The presiding judge granted the order and adjourned to December 7, for pre-hearing.
