The Court of Appeal in Abuja has reserved its judgment on the legal battle surrounding the September 21, 2024, Edo State governorship election, which saw Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) declared winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

A three-man panel led by Justice M.A. Danjuma reserved judgment on three separate appeals and a cross appeal filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Action Alliance (AA), Accord Party (AP), and the APC.

Key appeals heard include:

• Appeal by PDP and its candidate Asue Ighodalo (CA/ABJ/EPT/ED/GOV/01/2025)
• Cross appeal by APC and Monday Okpebholo (CA/ABJ/EPT/ED/GOV/04/2025)
• Appeals by Action Alliance, Rufai Omoaje (CA/ABJ/EPT/ED/GOV/02/2025)
• Appeal by Dr. Bright Enabulele of the Accord Party (CA/ABJ/EPT/ED/GOV/03/2025)

The APC legal team, led by Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), urged the court to uphold the ruling of the Election Tribunal, which had affirmed Okpebholo’s victory, stating that the PDP failed to provide sufficient evidence of electoral malpractice or irregularities.

Ikpeazu argued that the PDP’s claims on missing serial numbers on Form EC25B were unfounded, noting the form does not require serial numbers. He added that the PDP had also failed to produce key documents such as Form EC25D, where such details are normally recorded.

INEC’s lawyer, Kanu Agabi (SAN), and APC’s second counsel, Emmanuel Ukala (SAN), also urged the court to dismiss the appeals, insisting the petitioners failed to call enough polling unit agents to prove their claims of over-voting and result tampering.

In defense, Robert Emukpoeruo (SAN), counsel to PDP and Ighodalo, called on the Appeal Court to reverse the tribunal’s judgment, citing procedural non-compliance, contradictions in collation figures, and alleged errors by the tribunal in assessing the evidence.

HEED: Follow us on Instagram or any other social media platform and get the most reliable news directly in your favourite app!

He stressed that the PDP’s case was based on conflict in collated results, not general conduct of the election, and that the burden of polling unit testimonies was misapplied by the tribunal.

After all submissions, Justice Danjuma announced that judgment has been reserved, with the ruling date to be communicated to the parties in due course.

Naija Blog Daily will keep you updated on this developing story as Nigeria awaits a crucial decision on the legitimacy of the Edo 2024 gubernatorial election.

NaijaBlogDaily# is visible on all social media platforms, and we bring you the latest Nigerian news on politics and economy, entertainment, and celebrity updates, including sports across Nigeria and beyond…

Keep visiting and following up with us on any social media platform you are using to keep you updated 💯
Remember (information brings knowledge and power).
STAY TUNED!!!