Posted by Amarachi on Fri 24th Jan, 2025 - tori.ng
This brings the total number of witnesses called by the PDP to 10, marking the largest batch of witnesses presented in a single session since the petition began.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its gubernatorial candidate, Asue Ighodalo, on Thursday, January 23, presented before the Edo State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal four additional witnesses to substantiate their claims of irregularities in the September 21 governorship polls.
This brings the total number of witnesses called by the PDP to 10, marking the largest batch of witnesses presented in a single session since the petition began.
The PDP is contesting the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) declaration of Governor Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the election winner.
The party alleges overvoting, discrepancies in results, and irregularities in several local government areas, including Esan North East, Oredo, Esan South East, and Esan Central.
Key Testimonies From Witnesses
1. Esan North East Witness:
The PDP’s collation agent for Esan North East Local Government Area, Igbarase Matthias, claimed there was overvoting in nine polling units. He supported his claims with certified true copies of INEC’s Voter Register, Forms EC25B, EC8A, and screenshots of IREV copies.
Matthias stated, “I personally examined the certified documents from INEC before arriving at my deposition.”
Upon cross-examination, he admitted that PDP agents signed the election results but maintained that his observations were based on documented evidence rather than direct participation at the polling units.
2. Oredo Witness:
PDP’s collation agent for Oredo LGA, Aigbe Ighodaro Lucky, alleged overvoting in 66 polling units. He claimed INEC entered incorrect scores for his party in favor of the APC.
“My Lord, I relied solely on INEC-certified documents for my statement,” Ighodaro said. He added that there was no proper recording of sensitive material serial numbers in Form EC25B.
When cross-examined, Ighodaro admitted he had not personally examined any BiVAS machines used during the election but reiterated his reliance on party-provided INEC documents.
3. Esan Central Witness:
PDP’s collation agent for Esan Central LGA, Adekunle Oboh, testified that irregularities occurred in 23 polling units. He highlighted the lack of prior recording of sensitive materials in INEC’s Form EC25B.
Oboh noted, “Polling unit results sheets were signed by my party agents before I signed Form EC8C.”
4. Esan South East Witness:
The PDP collation agent for Esan South East LGA, Wilson Ibhawa, reported irregularities in five polling units, emphasizing the absence of recorded serial numbers for sensitive materials in Form EC25B.
Justice Wilfred Kpochi, chairman of the tribunal, provisionally admitted the presented documents as evidence, pending objections from respondents’ counsel.
The tribunal adjourned the hearing to Friday, January 24, 2025, for the continuation of witness testimonies.