The Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have clashed over the recent relocation of the governorship election petitions tribunal from Benin City to Abuja.
In a notice dated January 24, 2025 signed by the Clerk of the Court, Muazu Ibrahim, the parties advised that the court will be held at the National Judicial Institute (NJI), Airport Road, Abuja from Monday, January 27. I was informed. 2025.
The notice reads: “You are directed to inform all concerned that the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal located in Benin City, Edo State has been relocated to the National Institute of Justice (NJI), Airport Road, Abuja with effect from Monday 27th. ” was written. January 2025. ”
Although the official reason for the move has not been disclosed, there is speculation that the move may be related to earlier unrest at the Benin City court premises.
APC claims PDP operation
Reacting to the development, the Edo State Publicity Secretary of the APC, Peter Uwadeye-Igbinigi, accused the PDP of masterminding the relocation to gain unfair advantage.
“The move was due to pressure from the PDP camp. First, they claimed that their witnesses were not in an environment where they could easily give evidence. This cannot be true because their witnesses have access to the court,” he said. Far from it.
“Mainly, they discovered to their grave surprise that the witnesses they had relied on so much could not add value to the PDP case with their evidence and simply amounted to nothing in court.
“They also feel that the media attention that the groping witnesses receive is not helping their case, and they claim they would like to be in an environment where there is less interest and visibility. Not many people will want to go to Abuja for this incident.
“We are not daunted by this. Our case is compact and we have a legal team experienced in handling election matters. We are not daunted. We will confront them head-on. , we are ready to confront them head-on in court.”
In response, Mr. Chris Nehikare, public relations secretary of the state PDP caretaker committee, said in a conversation with Mr. Punch that the concrete evidence presented by the party led to undue pressure from the APC chief and others, and that the court had been moved. He said it must have led to. .
He said, “Given the nature of the case and the amount of concrete evidence presented by the witnesses, the court, following undue pressure and several threats by the prominent APC chief of Edo State, decided to proceed with the suit in Benin City. “We have determined that it is unsafe to continue.” to interfere with court proceedings;
“It is believed that the interests of justice require a neutral and more secure venue that is not under the control of state and non-state actors.”
The court will resume in Abuja on Tuesday, January 28, 2025.
