The National/State Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal convened in Benin has affirmed the victory of Senator Adams Oshiomhole in the Edo North Senatorial District election held on February 25.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Additionally, the tribunal upheld the election of Rep. Ihonvbere Julius, representing Owan Federal Constituency, who is a member of the APC.

The three-member tribunal, led by Justice O.A. Chuioke, dismissed the petition filed by former Senator Francis Alimikhena of the PDP on the grounds of lacking merit….CONTINUE READING

Alimikhena, represented by his counsel, Mr. Rasak Isenalume, had filed a petition against Sen. Oshiomhole, INEC, and the APC in suit NO: EPT/ED/SEN/02/2023. In his petition, Alimikhena sought the nullification of Oshiomhole’s election due to alleged non-compliance with the Electoral Act, 2022, and called for his declaration as the winner.

He also requested the tribunal to invalidate the election of Oshiomhole based on an alleged failure to transmit election results through the use of the BIVAS machine to the IREV Portal.

As an alternative, Alimikhena urged the tribunal to order a rerun of the election due to significant non-compliance with the law.

However, the respondents’ legal representatives argued for the dismissal of the petition on the grounds of lacking merit.

In a unanimous decision, Justice Alero Akeredolu, speaking on behalf of the tribunal, declared that the petitioners had failed to substantiate their case.

The tribunal found that they could not rely on the weaknesses or strengths of the respondents to prove their claims against Oshiomhole.

Furthermore, the petitioners did not present relevant documents to demonstrate non-compliance, as outlined in their petitions. Consequently, the tribunal dismissed the petition against Oshiomhole in its entirety.

The tribunal also dismissed the petition filed by Jimoh Iruokhaime Ijiegbai Ojeiu and the PDP challenging the INEC declaration of Ihonvbere as the winner of the Owan Federal Constituency.

The tribunal concurred with the argument put forth by Ihonvbere’s lead counsel, Mr. Ehiogie West-Idahosa (SAN), that Ojeiu’s petition lacked merit in its entirety.