On Tuesday, witnesses for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) testified about alleged irregularities in the September 21, 2024, Edo governorship election, focusing on three local government areas (LGAs) in the state.
The PDP and its candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, are contesting the declaration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that Governor Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) won the election.
Led by PDP counsel Abiodun Owonikoko, one of the witnesses, Kennedy Osifo, presented agents’ copies of election results for 76 polling units in Ward II of Ikpoba Okha LGA.
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Osifo alleged four electoral irregularities, which he claimed were revealed by comparing the agents’ copies with the certified true copies of results and the BVAS accreditation report obtained from INEC’s IREV portal.
He said these discrepancies were outlined in his witness statement, which he asked the tribunal to accept as evidence.
Osifo, who served as the PDP local government collation officer in the election, accused INEC of using incorrect scores to announce the final election result. During cross-examination, he clarified that his testimony was based solely on the two documents, not on direct contact with the agents.
Another witness, Adebayo Ogedegbe, alleged irregularities in 45 units across Akoko-Edo LGA. Ogedegbe, the PDP collation officer for the local government, testified that INEC used incorrect scores in 41 of these units, contradicting the records in the certified true copies. He also claimed there was overvoting in four other units and sought to submit agents’ copies of the results to support his allegations.
For Owan West LGA, Lucky Aroye presented agents’ copies for nine units, where he also alleged overvoting.
He claimed that seven units lacked prior records of sensitive materials and asked the tribunal to accept his statement on oath as evidence. When asked if he had visited all the units in his role as collation officer, Aroye acknowledged that it was impossible due to the number of units involved.
Counsels for INEC, Okpebholo, and APC—Senior Advocates of Nigeria Kalu Agabi, Onyechi Ikpeazu, and Ukala—objected to the admissibility of the tendered documents but reserved their grounds for final written addresses.
In response, Justice Wilfred Kpochi, Chairman of the tribunal, provisionally admitted the documents as evidence.
He adjourned the proceedings until Wednesday for the continuation of the hearing.