The Edo Alliance Group has expressed confidence that Governor Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) will emerge victorious at the ongoing election petition tribunal, despite the party presenting only one witness before closing its case.
In a statement released in Abuja, the group’s National Coordinator, Osato Idemudia, dismissed concerns over the number of witnesses presented, cited legal precedents where parties secured tribunal victories without multiple witnesses.
“We are certain that Governor Okpebholo will win at the tribunal. The judicial theatrics by the PDP and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo, are merely a waste of time,
“In 2019, the APC and President Buhari did not need to call many witnesses to win at the tribunal, and this will not be any different.”Idemudia said.
He urged the PDP and Ighodalo to abandon the case, as other political parties such as the Action Democratic Party (ADP), Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), and Allied People’s Movement (APM) have done. According to him, the opposition party is merely trying to keep its supporters hopeful despite internal divisions and defections.
“The PDP in Edo State is struggling to stay relevant, with members defecting in droves. It is in the interest of the state that they stop these distractions and allow Governor Okpebholo to focus on governance,” Idemudia stated.
On Okpebholo’s first 100 days in office, the group commended his decisive actions, including the suspension of senior government officials over alleged corruption, road rehabilitation, and improvements in the health, education, and media sectors.
“The governor has demonstrated seriousness with governance. Under 100 days, he has taken bold steps to ensure accountability and restore confidence in the system. Edo’s treasury is safe under him,” Idemudia added.
The Edo governorship election, held on September 21, 2024, saw Okpebholo declared the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), defeating PDP’s Asue Ighodalo. With the tribunal’s ruling expected in the coming months, political observers are keenly watching how the legal battle unfolds.
