From Tony Osauzo and Ighomuaye Lucky, Benin
The National/State Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Benin, yesterday, affirmed the declaration of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of Adams Oshiomhole, as winner of Edo North Senatorial District election.
In a unanimous judgment of the three-man Tribunal panel delivered by Justice Alero Akeredolu, the tribunal held that the petitioners failed woefully to prove their case, adding that they cannot rely on weakness or strength of the respondents to prove their cases against Oshiomhole.
It also held that the petitioners also failed to tender before the tribunal any relevant document to prove a case of non-compliance as contained in their petitions and dismissed the petition against Oshiomhole in its entirety.
Senator Francis Alimikhena, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), had through his Counsel, Rasak Isenalume, challenged the election of Senator Adams Oshiomhole. Joined in the petition were INEC)and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Suit NO: EPT/ED/SEN/02/2023.
Alimikhena, in his petition, asked the tribunal to declare as null and void the election of the 2nd Respondent, Oshiomhole, over non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 20222 as required by Law and declare him winner of the election.
He also urged the tribunal to nullify the election of the former APC National Chairman on alleged ground of non-transmission of election results through the use of BIVAS machine to IREV Portal.
In another case, the tribunal upheld INEC’s declaration of Prof. Ihonvbere Onozuanvbo Julius, of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as winner of the House of Representatives election to represent Owan Federal Constituency.
In a unanimous decision, it dismissed the petition filed by Jimoh Iruokhaime ljegbai and the PDP challenging Ihonvbere’s election.
Besides, it also agreed with the submission of the lead lawyer to Ihonvbere that Ojeiu’s petition failed and ought to be dismissed with punitive cost and granted the prayer of West Idahosa against the petitioners.
Ojeiu and the PDP are 1st and 2nd petitioners in the petition marked EPT/ED/HR/03/2023.
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