Copies of an unsigned document, purported to be the judgment of the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, have surfaced online, stirring controversy and speculation.
The document, which bears the petition number of the case filed by the Peoples Democratic Party and its governorship candidate, Asuerime Ighodalo, against Governor Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress, emerged less than 24 hours before the tribunal is set to deliver its verdict on Wednesday, April 2, 2025.
The leak has raised questions about the authenticity of the document, with many wondering whether it represents the tribunal’s actual decision.
A copy of the document, sighted by The PUNCH, indicates a split judgment, with two of the three tribunal justices ruling in favour of Okpebholo, while the third dissented.
The tribunal panel, led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, reportedly had Justice A. B. Yusuf aligning with the chairman to uphold Okpebholo’s election, while Justice A. A. Adewole ruled in favour of Ighodalo.
According to the document, Justices Kpochi and Yusuf dismissed the petitioners’ claims, stating that while there were irregularities in the election, they were not substantial enough to affect the outcome.
Citing Supreme Court precedents, they held that the margin of victory remained unchanged despite observed discrepancies.
However, Justice Adewole dissented, insisting that the total valid votes showed Ighodalo polled 243,113 votes against Okpebholo’s 210,326.
He declared the election invalid due to non-compliance with the Electoral Act and ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to issue a fresh Certificate of Return to Ighodalo.
He further ruled that the PDP’s claims were not effectively countered and that evidence pointed to an incorrect declaration of results.
With the official judgment yet to be delivered, the leaked document has sparked intense debate, leaving observers questioning whether it truly reflects the tribunal’s final ruling or is merely a product of speculation.
The PUNCH
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