The Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has announced that it will move from Benin City, the state capital, to Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.
On January 24, 2025, parties to the case were notified of the relocation by a notice signed by Mu’azu Bagudu, the Tribunal Secretary.
“With effect from Monday, January 27, 2025, I am directed to notify all parties that the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, located in Benin City, Edo State, has been relocated to Abuja at the National Judicial Institute (NJI), Airport Road, Abuja,” the notice stated in part.
No explanation for the move was provided in the notice.
The Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal started hearing on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, in Benin City, the state capital, but was interrupted by gunshots.
Additionally, it was alleged that thugs were spotted outside the tribunal’s hearing location, where gunfire fills the air and people flee for their lives.
The tribunal had begun hearing petitions contesting All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate Monday Okpebholo‘s victory in the Edo gubernatorial election on September 21, 2024. Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) member Asue Ighodalo is the primary challenger at the tribunal.
Okpebholo received 291,667 votes, Ighodalo received 247,274 votes, and Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party (LP) received 22,763 votes, placing him in a far-off third place, according to the election umpire, INEC.
Regarding the gunshot incident at the tribunal venue, the South-South state’s All Progressives Congress (APC) and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) exchanged accusations.
