The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its gubernatorial candidate, Asue Ighodaro, on Thursday presented four additional witnesses before the Edo State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal to substantiate allegations of fraud in the September 21 gubernatorial election.
This brings the total number of witnesses called by the PDP to 10, making it the largest number of witnesses to appear in a single session since the petition began.
Naija News understands that the PDP is contesting the declaration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Monday Governor Okpeboro as the winner of the election.
The party alleges over-voting, inconsistent results and irregularities in several local government areas including Esan Northeast, Oredo, Esan Southeast and Esan Central.
Main testimony of witnesses
1. Esan Northeast Witness:
The PDP’s Collation Agent for Esan North East Local Government Area, Mr Igbalase Mathias, claimed that there were over-votes in nine voting units. He substantiated his claim with screenshots of certified true copies of the INEC Voter Register, Forms EC25B, EC8A and IREV copies.
Mr Mathias said: “Before filing the affidavit, I personally examined the certification documents from INEC.”
During cross-examination, he acknowledged that PDP officials signed the election results, but maintained that his findings were based on documented evidence rather than direct participation at polling stations.
2. Oredo Witness:
The PDP’s Oredo LGA collation agent, Mr. Aigbe Ighodaro Lucky, claimed that 66 voting units had overvoted. He alleged that INEC entered a wrong score for his party in favor of the APC.
“Your Excellency, I relied solely on the INEC certified document for my statement,” Ighodaro said. He added that Form EC25B did not properly record serial numbers of confidential materials.
During cross-examination, Mr. Ighodaro admitted that he had not personally inspected the BiVAS machines used during the election, but reiterated that he relied on INEC documents provided by the party.
3. Esan Central Witness:
The Esan Central Local Government Collation Agent of the PDP, Mr. Adekunle Oboh, testified that fraud occurred in 23 voting units. He stressed that INEC’s Form EC25B does not pre-record confidential material.
Oboh said, “The polling unit result sheet was signed by my party representative before I signed the Form EC8C.”
4. Esan Southeast Witness:
The PDP Collation Agent for Esan South East Local Government, Mr Wilson Ibawa, reported that there were irregularities in five voting units, stressing that the serial numbers of sensitive materials were not recorded in Form EC25B.
The court’s presiding judge, Judge Wilfred Kupoch, tentatively admitted the submitted documents into evidence, pending objections from defense lawyers.
The court adjourned the hearing until Friday, January 24, 2025, for continued witness testimony.
