Dennis Idahosa, the deputy governor of Edo State, has rejected the petition filed by the People’s Democratic Party about alleged overvoting in the state’s September 21 governorship election.
Idahosa criticized the PDP for submitting petitions without fact-checking in a statement made in Benin following the tribunal hearing on Monday.
He claimed that the opposition’s accusations were unfounded because results from regions where overvoting occurred had already been canceled.
“Up until now, I have declined to comment on the tribunal’s proceedings,” he stated. However, since my constituency is the one contesting the outcome, I feel compelled to address some false statements made by the People’s Democratic Party today.
As mandated by law, the results in Unit 4, Ward 7, Usen, were canceled because of excessive voting. However, PDP filed an appeal against these results without realizing that they were never part of the unit results form (EC8A) or the ward results form (EC8B).
“Why will the PDP challenge results that do not exist?” he asked, pointing out that a witness for the All Progressives Congress had testified in court that the annulled results had not been calculated. It demonstrates their lack of process understanding,” Idahosa remarked.
He claims that the Electoral Act 2020 (as modified) makes it abundantly evident that excessive voting results in the automatic cancellation of results, obviating the necessity for additional disputes.
Though its witnesses have contradicted themselves in court, the PDP still has the burden of proof. It might not even be necessary for our legal team to call any witnesses,” he continued.
Idahosa charged that instead than concentrating on the legal facts, the PDP was handling the tribunal like a publicity stunt. He expressed faith in the judiciary’s ability to enforce the law and stated that the party’s argument was without validity.
“I’m here to explain those facts and inform the public that the PDP’s petitioned units and wards in Ovia and other parts of the state have been canceled because of excessive voting.” Thus, it didn’t show up in the final outcome,” he said.