A document claiming to be the judgment of the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has surfaced online, just a day before the official ruling is set to be announced.
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The unexpected leak has sparked widespread debate, raising concerns about the integrity of the tribunal’s proceedings.
Leaked Tribunal Judgment Sparks Controversy
The tribunal, led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, had scheduled April 2, 2025, for the formal delivery of its judgment on the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo. The petition challenges the outcome of the September 21, 2024, gubernatorial election, which saw Governor Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) declared the winner.
However, a document, allegedly containing the tribunal’s decision, appeared on social media, showing a split decision among the three-member panel. According to the leaked judgment:
| Justice | Decision |
|---|---|
| Justice Wilfred Kpochi | Dismissed the petition |
| Justice A.B. Yusuf | Dismissed the petition |
| Justice A.A. Adewole | Ruled in favor of Ighodalo |
Key Points from the Alleged Judgment
Minority Judgment: Tribunal Should Nullify Election
Justice A.A. Adewole, in his minority judgment, argued that Governor Okpebholo’s election should be annulled due to significant violations of the Electoral Act. He claimed that the PDP and Ighodalo provided enough evidence to prove that their candidate rightfully won the election.
According to the leaked document, Justice Adewole stated:
“The petitioners’ case was not rebutted, and they showed unit by unit how the actual total should be 243,113 votes for Ighodalo, while the 2nd Respondent’s tally should stand at 210,326 votes—a clear reversal of the declared result.”
Majority Judgment: Irregularities Did Not Affect Outcome
Justice Kpochi and Justice Yusuf, in the majority judgment, acknowledged that some irregularities occurred, including:
- Improper documentation of serial numbers in EC 25B forms
- Cases of over-voting in certain polling units
However, the majority decision concluded that these issues were not substantial enough to change the overall election result.
Justice Kpochi reportedly wrote:
“The petitioners have not discharged the dual burden to the satisfaction of the law. Accordingly, the petition lacks merit and is hereby dismissed.”
INEC’s Declared Results vs. Petitioners’ Claims
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had originally declared the following results:
| Candidate | Party | Votes Declared by INEC |
|---|---|---|
| Monday Okpebholo | APC | 291,667 |
| Asue Ighodalo | PDP | 247,655 |
However, the PDP and Ighodalo argue that after proper adjustments, their candidate should have been credited with 243,113 votes, while Okpebholo should have had 210,326 votes.
Reactions and Implications
The leak of this sensitive document has raised serious questions:
- Authenticity: The tribunal has not confirmed whether the document is genuine.
- Judicial Integrity: If true, the leak undermines confidence in the judicial process.
- Public Perception: Many are now speculating whether the final ruling will align with the leaked judgment or differ significantly.
Legal analysts warn that leaking a tribunal judgment before its official release is highly irregular and could influence public opinion ahead of the formal announcement.
Tribunal’s Next Steps
With the official judgment set to be delivered on April 2, 2025, the tribunal is expected to address the controversy surrounding the leak. Many Nigerians will be watching closely to see if the final ruling aligns with the leaked document or if a different verdict will be announced.
As this situation develops, all eyes remain on the Edo State Governorship Tribunal. Will the leaked judgment prove to be accurate, or will the final decision take a different turn? The coming hours will provide answers.
