Edo Election Petition Tribunal: APC closes defence amid over-voting admissions

The All Progressives Congress (APC) abruptly closed its defence at the Edo State Election Petition Tribunal on Thursday, despite earlier pledges to present 24 additional witnesses. This unexpected decision followed damaging admissions from APC’s own witnesses under cross-examination, who confessed to over-voting and widespread non-compliance with the Electoral Act by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the polling units disputed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

READ MORE: APC witnesses admit electoral irregularities at Edo tribunal, bolstering PDP claims

Ferdinand Orbih, Senior Advocate of Nigeria and lead counsel for the PDP, highlighted that the APC’s inability to produce further witnesses was due to the non-arrival of key documents from Benin City, the Edo State capital. “Without these documents, the APC, as the third respondent in the case, had no option but to close its defence,” Orbih asserted.

With its legal team effectively conceding that additional testimony would not bolster their case, the APC formally applied to close its defence. The tribunal accepted the application and directed that each respondent file their final written addresses within three days, while the PDP has been granted 15 days to respond to submissions from INEC, Senator Monday Okpebholo, and the APC.

READ MORE: APC’s own witness strengthens our case at Edo tribunal – PDP

INEC declared Sen. Okpebholo winner of the Edo State governorship election ahead of the PDP’s governorship candidate Asue Ighodalo.

Final addresses are scheduled to be adopted on 3 March 2025. With the defence now concluded, the tribunal will move to final arguments and legal submissions from all parties. Given the admissions of electoral malpractice by APC witnesses, the tribunal’s forthcoming decision is widely anticipated to pave the way for a final determination at the Supreme Court.