The tribunal sustains Dennis Idahosa's victory in Edo and rejects the PDP and LP petitions.

The National and State Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal in Benin City has rendered a decision to dismiss two petitions that were submitted challenging the proclamation of Dennis Idahosa as the victor of the Ovia Federal Constituency election held on February 25. 

The tribunal deemed these petitions to be without merit and lacking in competence.

The individuals named as petitioners, namely Epele Asemota representing the Labour Party (LP) and Barr Omosede Igbinedion representing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), independently filed lawsuits in court to contest the electoral success of Idahosa.

Asemota and Igbenediion have lodged allegations against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), asserting that the commission failed to adhere to the stipulations outlined in the Electoral Act of 2022, as revised, during the course of the election.

Additionally, they argued that the electoral triumph of the candidate from the All Progressives Congress (APC) was tarnished by anomalies, specifically citing instances of overvoting and many instances of thumbprinting.

Osayuki Asemota and Omosede Igbinedion additionally asserted the absence of use of the BVAS machine throughout the electoral process.

The tribunal, presided over by Justice Yusuf Mohammed, rendered its verdict by dismissing the two petitions due to their lack of merit and incompetence. The petitioners failed to substantiate their claims with any supporting evidence.

The panel consisting of three individuals concluded that the responsibility lay with the petitioners to substantiate their claims of overvoting, corrupt activities, and non-compliance with the Electoral Act as outlined in their petitions.

As per the pronouncement of the tribunal, it has been determined that the declaration made by the third respondent, Idahosa, is deemed valid, resulting in the dismissal of the petition.

In response to the ruling, Mr. Santos Owootori, legal representative for Omosede, expressed discontent with the decision and stated their intention to seek recourse through the court of appeal.

The counsel representing Idahosa, Mr. Famous Osawaru, expressed his appreciation for the judgement, emphasizing that it was grounded in factual evidence rather than subjective opinion.

As per his assertion, the Ovia people's mandate is impervious to theft, with his triumph serving as a symbol of emancipation.