Insecurity: Edo Governorship Election Tribunal Relocates To Abuja
Following security concerns, the Edo State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, on Friday, January 24, 2025, announced its decision to relocate from Benin City to Abuja with effect from Monday, January 27, 2025.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its Governorship candidate, Mr Asue Ighodalo, are challenging the declaration of Governor Monday Okpebholo as the winner of the election as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
In a notice issued by Mua’azu Bagudu, Secretary of the Edo State Election Tribunal, said that tribunal will now hold its sessions at the National Judicial Institute (NJI), located along the Airport Road, Abuja.
The statement said; “I am directed to notify all parties that the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Benin City has been relocated to Abuja”.
Accordingly, Bagudu provided his contact number, 08037200013, for any inquiries from parties involved in the case.
Checks by Forefront News indicated that the relocation was approved by the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem owing to escalating tension and security concerns at the tribunal’s sitting venue in Benin City, the Edo State capital.
The development followed an incident on January 15, when a gunman, believed to be a political thug, fired shots in the vicinity of the court, shouting “give us our mandate.”
Further checks also indicated that the relocation may have been predicated upon the testimony of a data forensic expert called by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate in the 2024 election, Dr. Asue Ighodalo who insisted that his security was not guaranteed in the State.
