Edo Election Tribunal declares PDP candidate winner of Assembly poll

BENIN— EDO State Election Petitions Tribunal, weekend, in Benin City, declared Gallant Sylvanus Peter of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, winner of the April 11 election in Estako West II constituency of the state House of Assembly. In its judgment, Justice E. Abuua held that Peter’s closest rival in the election, Yakubu, was not duly nominated by his party, the All Progressives Congress, APC.

The tribunal held that the notice of intention to hold party primaries sent to INEC was less than the mandatory 21 days, adding that the notice of intention to hold primaries was given on November 13, 2014, while the primaries were held on December 1, 2014. The tribunal said all the votes cast for the APC candidate were wasted as a result of which the first runner up who had 4,001 votes, was the rightful person to be declared winner of the election.

Gallant left the court in tears of joy. Reacting to the ruling, state chairman of the PDP, Chief Dan Orbih, said the judgment was a proof that the PDP was in charge of the state. Chief Orbih said the wind of change showed that Governor Oshiomhole was now being represented by a PDP lawmaker, adding that the judgment had kept the hope of Edo people alive.

Also, a chieftain of the PDP from Edo North, Mr. Jarret Tenebe, while reacting to the judgment, described it as a victory for democracy and Governor Adams Oshiomhole who is an Uzairue man. “We expect the APC to congratulate us, even if they will challenge the judgement at the appellate court.

‘’This is the change we are all yearning for and they should emulate former President Goodluck Jonathan by not going on appeal,” he said.

 

Edo Election Tribunal declares PDP candidate winner of Assembly poll