Akpata Declines Legal Challenge As PDP Heads To Appeal Court Over Edo Poll Verdict.
The political landscape in Edo State continues to stir reactions as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected the recent judgment of the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, which upheld the election of All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Monday Okpebholo. While the PDP vows to appeal the verdict, Labour Party (LP) candidate and former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) president, Olumide Akpata, has explained his decision not to contest the outcome.
In a statement released after a thorough review of the tribunal’s Certified True Copy of the judgment, the PDP’s Edo State Chairman, Dr Tony Aziegbemi, criticised the ruling as a judicial validation of electoral malpractice. He accused the tribunal of favouring legal technicalities over substantive justice and alleged that the panel “acted like a fourth respondent” by introducing legal obstacles to shield what he described as a flawed election.
“We are proceeding to the Court of Appeal with the facts, the law, and the will of the Edo people firmly on our side,” said Aziegbemi. The party reiterated claims that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) compromised the election in favour of the APC by deploying fake result sheets and violating its own guidelines.
Anthony Ehilebo, Special Adviser on Media to the PDP candidate, Asue Ighodalo, stated that forensic analysis conducted by the Tap Initiative showed irregularities, including result sheets filled in by the same handwriting. He also referenced evidence on INEC’s IReV portal that he claimed contradicted the tribunal’s findings.
Despite the controversy, APC’s Okpebholo has offered an olive branch to Ighodalo, urging collaboration for the development of Edo State. However, the PDP rejected the call for reconciliation, insisting that “there can be no peace without justice.”
Amidst the legal and political wrangling, Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party has stood by his earlier decision not to challenge the election results. Akpata, who garnered 22,763 votes and finished third in the 21 September 2024 governorship election, reiterated his belief that contesting the result would only serve to legitimise a flawed system.
“My decision not to approach the tribunal is not a capitulation to injustice, but a resolute stand against a flawed system,” Akpata stated. He described the burden of proof placed on election petitioners as “not just high, but often insurmountable,” adding that he chose to avoid protracted legal battles that could undermine the political process further.
While the PDP prepares for a legal showdown at the Court of Appeal, Akpata’s stance underscores the broader challenges within Nigeria’s electoral and judicial systems, sparking renewed calls for reform.
