The Edo State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal has announced its move from Benin City, the capital of the state, to the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The announcement was communicated through a notice issued on January 24, 2025, and signed by Tribunal Secretary, Mu’azu Bagudu, which was delivered to all involved parties concerning the relocation.
The notice stated in part:
“I have been instructed to inform all parties that the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, previously seated in Benin City, Edo State, will now be held in Abuja at the National Judicial Institute (NJI), Airport Road, Abuja, starting from Monday, January 27, 2025.”
No explanation was provided in the notice regarding the reason for the move.
Gunfire interrupted the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal session that commenced on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, in Benin City, the state capital. Reports indicated the presence of hoodlums outside the high-stakes venue of the tribunal, prompting a chaotic scene as people fled for their safety.
The tribunal had begun hearings on the petitions disputing the results of the Edo governorship election held on September 21, 2024, in which Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was declared the victor. The primary opponent at the tribunal is Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The electoral body, INEC, announced Okpebholo as the winner with 291,667 votes, while Ighodalo reportedly secured 247,274 votes, and Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party (LP) finished third with a mere 22,763 votes.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) exchanged accusations regarding the shooting incident at the tribunal’s location.