By Damilare Adeleye
Some persons suspected to be thugs have launched a violent attack on the Edo State High Court in Benin, disrupting the pre-hearing session over the validity of the September 21 governorship election results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
It was gathered that on Monday morning, supporters of seven political parties challenging the All Progressives Congress’ (APC) victory, arrived at the court, but they were soon pelted by unknown people outside the courtroom.
Reports disclosed that security operatives responded by blocking the court entrance and setting up roadblocks on the route leading to the venue.
On September 22, 2024, INEC announced APC candidate Monday Okpebholo as the winner of the election, with 291,667 votes, defeating Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Asue Ighodalo, who polled 247,274 votes, and Labour Party’s Olumide Akpata, who scored 22,763 votes.
The PDP and six other parties filed petitions with the three-member tribunal, led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, seeking to overturn the results.
The PDP, in particular, urged the tribunal to nullify the results and declare Ighodalo the winner.
The tribunal is expected to address seven separate petitions, including cases filed by the Accord Party, Alliance Party, Social Democratic Party, Allied Peoples Movement, Action Democratic Party, and Zenith Labour Party.
The tribunal was inaugurated by the National Judicial Council one week before the election, with its Secretary, Muazu Bagudu, confirming the pre-hearing schedule.
