Edo Governorship Election Petition Tribunal Opens In Benin

The Edo State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal has opened its secretariat to receive complaints arising from the September 19, 2020 governorship poll in the state.

The Secretary of the tribunal, Mr. Sunday Martins in a statement on Tuesday, disclosed that the High Court Complex in Benin, the Edo State capital, will be used as the venue of the exercise.

He said the secretariat is now open and ready to receive petitions from aggrieved candidates and political parties over the outcome Saturday’s election.

The statement read, “The general public is hereby put on notice that the Honourable President of Court of Appeal of Nigeria Hon. Justice M. B Dongban Mensem has established the Election Petition Tribunal Secretariat and accordingly constituted a panel in respect of the Governorship Election conducted in Edo State.

“The Honorable Chief Judge of the State-Hon. Justice E. A. Edigin has graciously approved the use of High Court Complex (Election Petition Court Hall), Sapele Road, Benin City for the Tribunal Exercise. The Secretariat is now open.”

Naija News recalls Godwin Obaseki of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), polled 307,955 votes to defeat all other candidates including Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who polled 223,619 votes.

INEC’s Returning Officer, Prof. Akpofure Rim-Rukeh declared Obaseki winner of the election.

Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has on Tuesday, presented certificates of return to Godwin Obaseki and Philip Shaibu as the duly elected Governor and Deputy Governor of Edo State for a second term in office.