Judgment in Edo gov election fixed for March 20

Uchechukwu Olisah, Benin City - 19.02.2008

The Edo State election petition tribunal has fixed judgment on the state governorship election petition for 20 March. The petition was filed by the state Action Congress (AC) candidate in the 14 April 2007 governorship election, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

Oshiomhole had prayed the tribunal to nullify the election result upon which the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Professor Oserheimen Osunbor of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) winner and conduct a fresh governorship election.

In the alternative, the AC governorship candidate had asked the court to quash Osunbor’s victory as announced by INEC and declare him winner of the election based on a majority of the lawful votes cast in the election.

Before the five-man tribunal headed by Justice Olabanji Orilonishe announced the date it would deliver judgment on the petition, the parties involved in the case took turns to make their final submissions.