By; RALPH OKHIRIA, Benin
The Governorship Election Tribunal sitting in Benin City, Edo state on Friday dimmised the petition brought against the All Progressives Congress (APC), Governor Godwin Obaseki and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), over the conduct of the September 28, 2016 Governorship Election in the state.
The three-member tribunal headed by Justice Ahmed Badamosi in dismissing the petition, stated that the petition of the PDP lacked merit, noting that the PDP was unable to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.
Justice Badamosi who read the judgement said the complainants had failed to produce the voters register, ballot papers and ballot boxes, even as the re-counting of the ballot was inconclussive, hence the tribunal had nothing to rely on in favour of the complainants.
The PDP and its candidate in the Septerber 28, 2016 governorship election, Mr. Osagie Ize-Iyamu had approached the tribunal to declare them winner of the election, alleging that INEC erred by declaring Mr. Godwin Obaseki of the APC as winner of the election.
The petitioners had alleged over-voting, inadequate lawful votes in favour of Mr. Godwin Obaseki and non-adherance to the electoral law in the conduct of the election.
Governor Obaseki who was at the tribunal during the judgement, told journalists that the victory was for the Edo people, describing the judgement as a sound one.
He expressed thanks to God and people of the state, even as he called on the state’s PDP leaders to join hands with him to move the state forward.
Also speaking, immediate past governor of the state, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole who was also present at the tribunal, said the APC was sure of victory, saying that the PDP had no case, adding “I am sure PDP will learn from this.”
