The three-man Edo Election Petitions Tribunal commences sitting today, Monday, 9th December, 2024 to look into the petitions of the Peoples’ Democratic Party and six other parties in the 21st September, Edo election.
As expected, the Tribunal is holding in a circumscribed arena, amid tight security, following security and intelligence reports that some members and thugs of the Peoples’ Democratic Party have planned to cause mayhem and breakdown of law and order. Following the intelligence tip-off, the government of the day has directed the security agencies to ensure that the Tribunal conducts its business in an atmosphere of orderliness and security, without let or hindrance.
Intelligence reports exposed the plans of the opposition PDP to disrupt proceedings at the event, in a deliberate attempt to accuse the government of the day of lacking legitimacy, in a people’s court which they plan to hold outside the arena of the Tribunal. Before now, the PDP had orchestrated media campaigns across the traditional and social media to whip up public sentiments against the election. One of the Chieftains of the PDP, Mr. Osita Chidoka, tried to besmirch the credibility of the election using contrived reports and data from its Athena Centre as evidence.
Despite copious data validating the victory of the APC’s Senator Okpebholo, the PDP has been trying unremittingly, to mislead the members of the public, and discredit the election. It is instructive to note that the APC defeated its closest rival, the PDP with over forty four thousand (44,000) votes.
Senator Monday Okpebholo, the Edo state Governor, self assured, and already in action in office, has reportedly extended olive branch to his opponents to join him in delivering the dividend of democracy to Edo citizens instead of wasting everybody’s resources to seek validation of the election that he won squarely. The Edo Governor has already hit the ground running, and the Edo people have already heaved a sigh of relief, seeing a different approach to governance.
A member of the ruling APC who does not want his name in print said, “we are not distracted by Asue Ighodalo’s busy-body, trying to seek relevance in an election he lost. Instead of being a good sportsman, he’s busy looking for relevance. We expected them to conduct themselves within the ambit of the law, but planning to cause mayhem and disrupt the Tribunal sitting would be most unfortunate.”
Also, a member of the Assets Verification Committee, Prince Kassim Afegbua has cautioned the opposition political elements not to attempt the use of their thugs to disrupt the Tribunal proceedings. According to him, government will not fold its hands and watch a state of lawlessness. “Nobody, should test the resolve of government. We are not afraid of Tribunal, but we will not tolerate any untoward behaviour that could disrupt the legitimate assignment of the Tribunal,” he said. We demand peace and stability throughout the entire process. Thuggery and hooliganism in the name of politics, will be met with an iron fist and anyone caught trying to disrupt the process will face the full wrath of the law”.
