The Edo Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, which has begun sitting in Benin, is to hear seven petitions challenging the victory of Governor Monday Okpebholo in the September 21 poll.

The petitions were submitted by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and six other political parties. The other parties, according to the cause list, are the Accord Party (AP), Action Alliance (AA), Social Democratic Party (SDP), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Action Democratic Party (ADP), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).

In his inaugural address, the Chairman of the three-member panel, Justice Wilfred Kpochi, canvassed for the cooperation of all parties in the case, particularly the legal representations. Kpochi lauded the calmness in the courtroom but raised concerns about the influx of parties’ supporters into the premises.

“We would like to request your cooperation. I can see this place is calm and hope it will continue like this. However, I saw many people outside and wondered what it was all about.

“On my part, we will say we will cooperate with you. You are senior lawyers. Do not shout at us and we will not shout at you either. If you notice any issue, draw our attention and we will listen.”

Other members of the tribunal are Justices K. B. Yusuf and A. A. Adewole. Responding, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Ken Mozia, who led the PDP legal team, and Onyechi Ikpeazu, who led the Okpebholo’s team, promised that the parties would be professional in their trade before the tribunal.

They assured the tribunal that the supporters would be engaged so as to ensure the place was not rowdy or create commotion throughout the judicial exercise. Subsequently, the PDP case against the governor went into pre-hearing, where all parties adopted their exchanged written responses. The tribunal adjourned until December 18 for the hearing of preliminary motions in the case, as well as the adoption of addresses of the six others.