Copies of an unsigned document alleged to be the judgement of the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal have appeared online, sparking debate and discussion.
The document, which bears the petition number of the case filed by the Peoples Democratic Party and its governorship candidate, Asuerime Ighodalo, against Governor Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress, was released less than 24 hours before the tribunal is scheduled to deliver its verdict on Wednesday, April 2, 2025.
The disclosure has prompted concerns about the document’s legitimacy, with many asking if it represents the tribunal’s final verdict.
A copy of the document obtained by The PUNCH suggests a split decision, with two of the three tribunal justices siding with Okpebholo and the third dissenting.
The tribunal panel, led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, reportedly saw Justice A. B. Yusuf siding with the chairman to affirm Okpebholo’s election, while Justice A. A. Adewole ruled in support of Ighodalo.
According to the document, Justices Kpochi and Yusuf dismissed the petitioners’ arguments, claiming that while there were some irregularities in the election, they were not significant enough to change the outcome.
Citing Supreme Court precedents, they determined that the margin of victory remained unchanged notwithstanding the discovered anomalies.
However, Justice Adewole dissented, claiming that the total valid votes showed Ighodalo receiving 243,113 votes to Okpebholo’s 210,326.
He deemed the election unlawful due to noncompliance with the Electoral Act and directed the Independent National Electoral Commission to provide a new Certificate of Return to Ighodalo.
He also determined that the PDP’s assertions were not effectively refuted and that evidence pointed to an inaccurate statement of results.
With the formal judgement still to be issued, the leaked paper has caused significant debate, leaving observers wondering whether it genuinely reflects the tribunal’s final conclusion or is simply a product of speculation.
