The Edo State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal has been a focal point of intense scrutiny and legal battles. The tribunal, which recently relocated to Abuja due to security concerns, is currently examining the validity of the September 21, 2024, gubernatorial election results.
Key Points of the Tribunal:
1. BVAS Machines as Evidence: The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has submitted the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines used during the election. This submission followed a subpoena from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), which alleges over-voting and discrepancies between the number of accredited voters and the final results declared by INEC
2. Witness Testimonies: The PDP has presented multiple witnesses who have testified about alleged irregularities in the election process. These witnesses have claimed that the results announced by INEC did not match the data uploaded on the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IREV) and the records from polling units.
3. Legal Arguments: The PDP’s legal team argues that the election was marred by significant irregularities, including over-voting and incorrect collation of results. They contend that these issues were substantial enough to affect the election outcome. On the other hand, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Governor Monday Okpebholo’s legal team maintain that the election was conducted fairly and that the PDP’s claims are baseless
Likely Outcome:
Given the current state of the tribunal, it is challenging to predict the outcome with absolute certainty. However, the following factors could influence the final decision:
– Strength of Evidence: The BVAS data and witness testimonies presented by the PDP could play a crucial role in determining the tribunal’s decision. If the tribunal finds significant discrepancies and irregularities, it could lend weight to the PDP’s claims of electoral malpractice.
– Legal Precedents: The Supreme Court has previously ruled that BVAS is the primary source of accreditation data, making it a critical reference point for assessing the validity of election results. This precedent could influence the tribunal’s assessment of the evidence.
– Defense by APC: The APC’s legal team will closely scrutinize the evidence presented by the PDP and attempt to counter their claims. Their ability to effectively challenge the PDP’s evidence will be crucial in determining the outcome.
Prediction: While both parties have strong arguments, the PDP currently have an edge due to the BVAS data and witness testimonies supporting their claims of irregularities.
