The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected the ruling of the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal.
In a statement on Thursday by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the party described the ruling as a miscarriage of justice and a betrayal of public trust.
The tribunal had on Wednesday upheld the election of Senator Monday Okpebholo if the All Progressives Congress (APC) and threw out the petition of the PDP challenging Okpebholo’s election.
The PDP said it’s concerning that the tribunal dismissed its candidate’s petition, despite what it described as overwhelming evidence of electoral malpractice that characterised the 21 September 2024 governorship poll.
The PDP insisted that its candidate, Dr Asue Ighodalo, won the election with the highest number of valid votes but was denied victory through manipulations.
“It is very disturbing that despite the overwhelming evidence and findings by the tribunal that the PDP was robbed of its clear victory through wrongful allocation of votes to the APC and the arbitrary cancellation of valid votes won by the PDP, the Election Tribunal contradicted itself by arriving at a conclusion that is at variance with its own findings,” the party said.
The PDP further warned that the tribunal’s verdict poses a serious threat to the confidence of Nigerians in democracy and the electoral adjudication process.
It emphasised that democracy can only thrive when the rule of law is upheld and judicial decisions are based on facts, evidence, and due process.
“A tribunal of this nature must impartially apply the law and the body of evidence presented before it. Anything short of this undermines the democratic process and shakes the people’s faith in electoral justice,” the party added.
Stating its confidence in the judiciary, the PDP announced that it will challenge the tribunal’s decision at the Court of Appeal, where it expects a more conscientious judicial review of the matter.
“Our party and candidate, Dr Asue Ighodalo, are proceeding to the Court of Appeal where we believe justice will be done, and the people of Edo State will have their mandate restored, “the statement read.
The PDP urged its supporters in Edo State to remain resolute and not lose faith in the judiciary and democracy. It assured them that the battle for justice was far from over and that the party would fight to reclaim the mandate freely given to its candidate.
