BREAKING: Edo State Election Tribunal Moves To Abuja [DETAILS]—–The Edo State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal has officially communicated its move from Benin City to the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, without stating the reason yet.
The Genius Media Nigeria reports that the relocation was announced in a statement issued on Friday, January 24, 2025, and signed by the Tribunal Secretary, Mu’azu Bagudu.
According to the statement, all parties involved in the case have been informed of this location change.
“I am directed to notify all parties that the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Benin City, Edo State, has been relocated to Abuja at the National Judicial Institute (NJI), Airport Road, Abuja, effective from Monday, 27th January 2025,” the notice according to The PUNCH, reads.
TGM recalls that gunfire interrupted the proceedings of the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, which commenced its hearings on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, in Benin City, the capital of the state.
Reports indicate that individuals engaged in violent behaviour were observed outside the high-profile tribunal location, where gunfire caused chaos and prompted attendees to flee for their safety.
The tribunal began addressing petitions contesting the results of the Edo governorship election held on September 21, 2024, in which Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was declared the victor.
The primary opponent in the tribunal is Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced Okpebholo as the election winner with a total of 291,667 votes, while Ighodalo received 247,274 votes, and Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party (LP) finished third with 22,763 votes.
In the aftermath of the shooting incident at the tribunal venue, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) exchanged accusations regarding responsibility for the violence.
