The Chairman of the Edo State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Anthony Aziegbemin, has said that a key witness presented by Governor Monday Okpebholo’s legal team at the Edo State Election Petition Tribunal has inadvertently bolstered the PDP’s case by confirming electoral malpractice.
In a dramatic turn at the tribunal on Monday, Okpebholo’s legal team concluded its defence with a single witness, whose testimony—according to the PDP—provided undeniable evidence of a violation of the Electoral Act.
The witness, Usman Majek, an All Progressives Congress (APC) polling agent for Ward 7, Unit 4 in Ovia South West, admitted under cross-examination that over-voting had taken place in his polling unit.
According to Form EC8A from the unit, the APC secured 108 votes while the PDP received 76. However, the total votes cast stood at 204, exceeding the 189 accredited voters recorded by INEC’s Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS). Under the Electoral Act, any result surpassing the number of accredited voters is deemed invalid.
Speaking on Arise Television’s News Night on 10 February, Aziegbemin reiterated that the PDP’s legal challenge focused on 765 polling units where over-voting and other irregularities allegedly occurred.
*WATCH*: SHOCKING REVELATION OF HOW GOV. OKPEBHOLO’S OWN WITNESS PROVED OVER VOTING AGAINST HIM pic.twitter.com/3wa9PvwdTn
— Emma ik Umeh (Tcee )🇳🇬 (@emmaikumeh) February 11, 2025
“The principle is simple,” he stated. “The Electoral Act is clear—when the number of votes surpasses accredited voters, the result is invalid. Today, APC’s own witness confirmed our argument.”
Aziegbemin further argued that if unlawfully inflated votes were removed and only lawful ballots counted, PDP candidate Asue Ighodalo would emerge as the rightful winner. He also criticised the APC’s legal strategy, questioning why the party would call only one witness—who ended up admitting to electoral violations.
“With this admission, the case is practically closed,” Aziegbemin said. “INEC and Okpebholo have both closed their cases. Now we wait to see what last-minute manoeuvre the APC will attempt in court on Wednesday.”
As the tribunal nears its judgment, the PDP remains confident.
“The facts speak for themselves,” Aziegbemin concluded. “Over-voting occurred. The Electoral Act was violated. We have to, as a nation, say enough is enough. The law must take its course.”
