The Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal will resume.today, with Governor Monday Okpebholo poised to reinforce his position in the ongoing legal contest. As the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) gear up for the resumption of hearings, their optimism over the tribunal’s acceptance of their documents may prove premature, legal experts warned.
The PDP has submitted key election documents, including Form EC8EL, Form EC8D, and CTCs of polling unit forms, as part of their petition. However, while these documents have been accepted for procedural purposes, they do not automatically guarantee success. Legal analysts emphasized that the party must provide compelling evidence to prove that the election was rigged, a burden of proof they must meet beyond reasonable doubt.
The case brought to light the challenges of election petitions, with historical precedents showing that the acceptance of documents does not always result in a favorable ruling. In the case of Peter Obi’s petition against President Tinubu, for example, the tribunal accepted a significant judgment as evidence, yet ultimately dismissed the petition.
As the tribunal reconvenes, Governor Okpebholo’s legal team remained confident, with many predicting that the evidence presented by the PDP will not be sufficient to alter the outcome.
Meanwhile, the PDP is under increasing pressure, facing a political and legal uphill battle that could have significant consequences for the party’s future.
With crucial decisions expected in the coming days, all eyes will be on the tribunal to see whether the PDP can present the evidence needed to challenge Okpebholo’s victory, or if the governor’s position will remain firmly intact.
