The Edo State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal has announced its relocation from Benin City to the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
In a notice dated January24, 2025 and signed by Tribunal Secretary Mu’azu Bagudu, parties were informed that the tribunal would now convene at the National Judicial Institute (NJI), Airport Road, Abuja, effective Monday, January 27, 2025. The notice did not provide reasons for the move.
This follows disruptions at the tribunal’s hearing on January 15, 2025 in Benin City, where gunshots and the presence of hoodlums caused panic. The hearing involves petitions challenging the outcome of the 21 September 2024 Edo governorship election, which declared APC’s Monday Okpebholo as the winner with 291,667 votes.
The main challenger, PDP’s Asue Ighodalo, who garnered 247,274 votes, is contesting the result. Both the PDP and APC have traded accusations over the shooting incident that disrupted proceedings.