The Edo State Governorship Election lawsuit Tribunal in Abuja has dismissed the Action Alliance and Adekunle Omoaje’s lawsuit challenging Governor Monday Okpebholo’s election, as well as the All Progressives Congress and the Independent National Electoral Commission.
The three-member tribunal dismissed the plea on Wednesday, calling it as frivolous and lacking merit.
AA and Omoaje had contested Okpebholo’s victory in the September 21, 2024 governorship election, citing corruption and noncompliance with the Electoral Act.
They argued that the APC candidate did not secure the majority of lawful votes and that INEC’s declaration of Okpebholo as governor was illegal and unconstitutional.
INEC had declared Okpebholo winner with 291,667 votes, defeating his closest rival, Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party, who polled 247,655 votes.
In its judgment, the tribunal ruled that Omoaje lacked the legal standing to challenge the election since he did not participate in the poll.
It also held that his claims, which stemmed from his non-recognition as AA’s National Chairman by INEC, had no basis under the Electoral Act 2022.
Consequently, the tribunal dismissed the petition in its entirety.
