INEC Abandons Defence as PDP Strengthens Case in Edo Election Tribunal

 The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has unexpectedly withdrawn its defense in the ongoing Edo State Governorship Election Tribunal, raising serious concerns about its position in the electoral dispute.

The tribunal was set up following allegations by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that INEC had collaborated with the All Progressives Congress (APC) to manipulate the election in favor of Governor Monday Okpebholo. However, instead of presenting witnesses to counter these claims, INEC’s legal team opted not to call any, a move that legal experts describe as a risky strategy.

“By failing to present witnesses, INEC has effectively handed over its defense to APC and Governor Okpebholo’s legal team, which could weaken its position,” a senior legal analyst observed.

The PDP has built its case around provisions in the 2022 Electoral Act, particularly Section 137, which prioritizes documentary evidence, and Section 73(2), which mandates election cancellations where ballot paper and BVAS serial numbers were not pre-recorded. The tribunal has already admitted BVAS machines into evidence, which PDP claims expose voter fraud and over-voting.

Adding to the controversy, an investigative report by the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) alleged that INEC played a role in inflating APC’s votes. With INEC’s silence, scrutiny over the credibility of the election has intensified, making the tribunal’s final ruling even more crucial.