The Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in Benin City was disrupted by gunfire on Wednesday, causing panic and chaos.
The incident, which occurred outside the tribunal venue, left attendees scrambling for safety.
The tribunal was set to hear petitions challenging the outcome of the September 21, 2024, Edo governorship election. Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was declared the winner with 291,667 votes by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
His closest rival, Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), garnered 247,274 votes, while Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party (LP) finished third with 22,763 votes.
Tensions escalated as the PDP and APC traded accusations over the shooting. The APC alleged that PDP members were responsible for the disruption, describing the act as a grave threat to the sanctity of the legal process.
The party called for the perpetrators to be brought to justice and emphasized the need for a peaceful resolution to disputes.
In response, the PDP denied any involvement and accused the APC of orchestrating the violence.
The party claimed that the APC had deployed individuals disguised in PDP attire to disrupt proceedings and tarnish their reputation. They reiterated their commitment to reclaiming what they described as a stolen mandate through legal means.
The incident has raised concerns about the safety and integrity of the tribunal process in Edo State. As both parties continue to exchange blame, observers have called for calm and impartial investigations to ensure justice prevails.
