The Supreme Court has reserved judgment in the Edo State Governorship Election Petition case, adjourning the verdict sine die after hearing arguments from both parties.
The case revolved around the appeal filed by Asue Ighodalo and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) challenging the election victory of Senator Monday Okpebholo.
Justice Garba Lawal who presided over hearing of the appeal filed by Asue Ighodalo and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), said that the date for delivery of the judgement would be communicated to parties involved.
Ighodalo, whose appeal was argued by Ken Mosia, SAN, prayed the Supreme Court to remove Okpebholo and pronounced him as winner of the election.
His ground was that he scored a majority of lawful votes in the election.
However, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), represented by Kanu Agabi, SAN, asked the apex court to dismiss the appeal in its entirety.
Agabi argued that Ighodalo and PDP had in their petition stigmatized as invalid and unlawful on ground of non compliance with the Electoral Act 2022.
The electoral body said having declared the election as unlawful and illegal, Ighodalo and PDP cannot turn around and pray the court to declare them as winners of illegality.
INEC accused Ighodalo and PDP of being inconsistent in their grievances against the election and pleaded that their case be dismissed for want of merit.
The outcome of this case will determine the legitimacy of Okpebholo’s victory and potentially impact the political landscape of Edo State.
