An unsigned document, purportedly containing the judgment of the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, has surfaced online just hours before the official verdict is scheduled to be delivered.
The document, which bears the petition number of the case filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate Asuerime Ighodalo against Governor Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC), appeared less than 24 hours before the tribunal’s scheduled ruling on Wednesday, April 2, 2025.
According to The PUNCH newspaper, which obtained a copy of the document, the judgment appears to indicate a split decision among the three-member tribunal panel. Two justices reportedly ruled in favour of Governor Okpebholo, while one dissented.
The tribunal panel, led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, allegedly had Justice A.B. Yusuf aligning with the chairman to uphold Okpebholo’s election.
According to the document, they dismissed the petitioners’ claims, stating that “while there were irregularities in the election, they were not substantial enough to affect the outcome.” Their ruling reportedly cited Supreme Court precedents, holding that the margin of victory remained unchanged despite observed discrepancies.
However, Justice A.A. Adewole purportedly dissented, insisting that “the total valid votes showed Ighodalo polled 243,113 votes against Okpebholo’s 210,326.” The document suggests he declared the election invalid due to non-compliance with the Electoral Act and ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to issue a fresh Certificate of Return to Ighodalo.
The leaked document has raised serious questions about its authenticity, with many observers questioning whether it truly reflects the tribunal’s final ruling or is merely speculative. The official judgment is expected to be delivered tomorrow.
