The Edo State Governorship Election Tribunal has adjourned the hearing of all seven petitions until Wednesday, 15 January 2025.
The decision to adjourn was made after the counsel for the 1st and 2nd respondents, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Monday Okpebholo, requested a postponement due to a scheduling conflict with a case at the Supreme Court.
All parties and their legal representatives were present during the tribunal’s sitting in Benin City, and the court granted the necessary appearances.
The tribunal explained that the request for adjournment was based on the fact that the 2nd respondent’s counsel had a case at the Supreme Court on 14 January 2025, and the parties had been notified via email and WhatsApp.
In response, the counsel for the petitioners acknowledged receiving the adjournment letter but expressed concerns over the late submission and the absence of supporting documents, particularly the hearing notice for the Supreme Court case.
Despite these concerns, the petitioners’ legal team agreed to the adjournment, stating they were prepared to proceed on 14 January 2025, but would accept the delay in the interest of fairness and cooperation.
They insisted that the respondents request no further adjournments.
The tribunal granted the adjournment, and the hearing will now be held on 15 January 2025.
The petitions before the tribunal include cases filed by political parties such as the Accord Party, PDP, Alliance Party, SDP, Allied Peoples Movement, ADP, and Zenith Labour Party, all challenging the results of the Edo governorship election.
The respondents in all these cases are INEC, Okpebholo, and the APC.
(Daily Gazette)
