Monday February 3, 2025 – In a dramatic turn of events at the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in Abuja, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) submitted additional Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines as evidence. This unexpected move bolsters the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) claims of over-voting in the September 21, 2024 election.
The submission of the extra BVAS machines caught the legal teams of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Governor Monday Okpebholo off guard. INEC officials, appearing as witnesses, tendered the additional devices, further supporting the PDP’s argument that the final election results were manipulated.
The APC’s legal team immediately objected to the submission, but the Tribunal overruled their objections, allowing the new evidence to be considered. Following this development, PDP counsel formally concluded their case, expressing confidence that the newly submitted evidence sealed their argument.
In contrast, the APC legal team requested more time to review the new evidence and prepare their defense. The Tribunal adjourned the case until Wednesday, February 5, 2025, during which INEC, along with Senator Okpebholo and the APC, are expected to produce their own witnesses to defend the claim that Governor Okpebholo was duly elected.
