*Discountenance APC argument, PDP urges Court
By Idahosa Musa
Ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has prayed the 2024 Edo Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal to dismiss the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), challenging the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) declaration of Governor Monday Okpebholo as the winner of the September 21, 2024 Governorship Election in Edo State
The APC in a motion argued by its counsel, Ferdinand Orbih (SAN), on Wednesday during a pre-hearing sitting of the tribunal, described the petition as incompetent.
Orbih told the three man panel, sitting in Benin that the PDP’s petition was not filed in accordance with the provisions of the law.
Consequently, he said the tribunal lacked jurisdiction to entertain the matter.
According to him, further grounds for seeking the dismissal are contained in the motion paper dated November 30, and supported by a seven-paragraph affidavit.
In its counter-argument, the PDP through its counsel, Ken Mozia (SAN), urged the tribunal to discountenance the argument of the APC.
Mozia explained that the petitioners had filed a reply and counter-affidivit to challenge the motion.
The tribunal’s chairman, Justice Wilfred Kpochi, however, reserved ruling on the motion until the final day of the case.
In another motion, the APC asked the tribunal to strike out some paragraphs in the petition filed by the PDP and its candidate in the election, Dr Asue Ighodalo.
While arguing the application, Orbih urged the tribunal to deliver its ruling on the motion before it commenced hearing into the petition.
The PDP’s counsel, however, countered the application, urging the tribunal to dismiss it for lack of merit.
Justice Kpochi discountenanced the argument of the APC, saying rulings on all preliminary motions would be delivered on the final judgement day.
Earlier, the PDP had moved four different motions, calling on the tribunal to expunge various paragraphs in the replies of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), APC and Okpebholo to its petition.
In the end, the tribunal adjourned to Saturday for the parties in the case to file a common proposal that would guide the tribunal during the hearing.
The Nigerian Tribune reports that the PDP is challenging the declaration of Okpebholo as winner of the September 21 election by the INEC.
INEC said Okpebholo polled 291,667 votes to defeat PDP’s Ighodalo and the Labour Party’s Olumide Akpata who recorded 247,274 and 22,763 votes respectively.
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