The Edo State chapters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have engaged in a war of words following the relocation of the state’s governorship election petition tribunal from Benin City to Abuja.
A notice signed by the tribunal secretary, Mu’azu Ibrahim, and dated January 24, 2025, informed all parties of the relocation. The notice read in part: “I am directed to notify all parties that the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Benin City, Edo State, has been relocated to Abuja at the National Judicial Institute (NJI), Airport Road, Abuja, effective from Monday, 27th January, 2025.”
Although no official reason was provided, the relocation is believed to be linked to security concerns following past disturbances at the tribunal premises.
Reacting to the development, Edo APC Publicity Secretary, Peter Uwadiae-Igbinigie, accused the PDP of influencing the decision. “The relocation was due to pressure from the PDP camp. First, they claimed that their witnesses did not feel free in the environment to come and give evidence. That is a far cry from the truth because their witnesses have access to the court,” he said.
Uwadiae-Igbinigie further alleged, “They also feel that the media attention their fumbling witnesses are getting is not doing their case any good. They have been insisting on moving to an environment where interest and publicity will be reduced. We are not deterred. Our legal team is ready to meet them head-on at the tribunal.”
In contrast, Chris Nehikhare, the publicity secretary of the Edo PDP caretaker committee, claimed the relocation was due to threats from APC chieftains. “Given the nature of the case and the volume of concrete evidence presented by the witnesses, the tribunal reckoned it would be unsafe to continue proceedings in Benin City. Undue pressure and threats by notable APC chieftains necessitated a neutral and more secure location,” he stated.
The tribunal is set to resume sitting at the National Judicial Institute, Abuja, on Tuesday, January 28, 2025.
