The All-Progressives Congress Thursday closed its case at the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja.
During the hearing in the petition filed by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo, challenging the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC’s) declaration of Monday Okpebholo as the winner of the polls, the APC presented only four witnesses out of the 28 it had promised to bring to the tribunal.
Three of the four witnesses admitted that there was over voting in the election, however, they also stated that the results from the polling units where over-voting was recorded were cancelled.
On Monday governor Okpebholo also presented a witness who admitted that there was over voting in his victory in the September 21, 2024, election.
During Thursday’s proceedings APC’s lead counsel, Ferdinand Orbih (SAN), announced that the party would not be calling any additional witnesses as previously stated. He told the court that the documents that they sought to rely upon to defend their case could not arrive from Benin City hence they can’t proceed with the case.
“Yesterday, we promised to present 28 witnesses. However, after a comprehensive review and considering that the documents are still in Benin, we have decided not to proceed with calling additional witnesses,” Orbih said.
“My Lords, time is of the essence, and we do not want to waste the tribunal’s time. We are happy to close the third respondent’s case if it pleases your Lordships.”
Neither the petitioners nor the respondents objected to APC’s submission to close its case.
The tribunal subsequently declared the case closed and adjourned proceedings to March 3, allowing all parties time to file and respond to their final written addresses before returning on the scheduled date for adoption.
