PDP’s over-voting claim at tribunal faulty, says Edo deputy gov

The Edo State Deputy Governor, Dennis Idahosa, has dismissed the Peoples Democratic Party’s petition on alleged over-voting in the September 21 governorship election in the state.

Speaking in Benin after the tribunal session, on Monday, Idahosa criticised the PDP for filing petitions without verifying facts.

He stated that results from areas affected by over-voting were already cancelled, making the opposition’s claims baseless.

He said, “I have refused to comment on the proceeding of the tribunal before now. But today, I feel have have to address some wrong claims being made by the Peoples Democratic Party because the area contesting the result is my constituency.

“In Unit 4, Ward 7, Usen, the results were cancelled due to over-voting, as required by law. Yet, PDP petitioned against these results without knowing they were never included in the form EC8A for the unit results and form EC8B for the ward.”

He pointed out that the All Progressives Congress’ witness confirmed in court that cancelled results were not computed, adding, “Why will the PDP challenge results that do not exist? It shows they do not understand the process,” Idahosa said.

According to him, the Electoral Act 2020 (as amended) clearly states that over-voting leads to automatic result cancellation, eliminating the need for further disputes.

“The onus is on PDP to prove their case, but their witnesses have contradicted themselves in court. Our legal team may not even need to call any witness,” he added.

Idahosa accused PDP of treating the tribunal like a media campaign, rather than focusing on legal facts. He said that the party’s case lacks merit and expressed confidence in the judiciary to uphold the law.

“I am here to clarify those facts, to let the world know that those units/wards that the PDP petitioned in Ovia and in other places in the state have been cancelled due to over voting. So it did not reflect in the overall result,” he concluded.