Governorship tribunal upholds Obaseki’s victory
Edo state governorship election petition tribunal sitting in Benin has upheld the victory of Godwin Obaseki of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and dismissed that of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Osagie Ize-Iyamu.
Justice Ahmed Badamasi, in his judgment, dismissed the petition over frivolous claims which he failed to substantiate with adequate evidence.
The petitioner Osagie Ize-Iyamu, had petition the tribunal to declare him winner as the duly elected following the outcome of September 28 governorship election last year in which the APC candidate Godwin Obaseki was declared winner as Edo governor with large margin.
In an almost three-hour judgment, the chairman of tribunal struck out the claims stage by stage before dismissing the entire petition.
Shortly after judgment the entire court premises, environs and roads were overtaken by APC lawyers, party loyalists, and chieftains in solidarity, despite the heavy presence of security operatives while the PDP chieftains and loyalists quickly eased out.
Some of the APC counsels during an interview, hailed the judgment while the PDP counsel said they would study the judgment.
Meanwhile, the immediate past Governor of Edo, comrade Adams Oshiomole who was also at the tribunal, said the victory is a further affirmation that the PDP is dead and that the people has spoken.
The elated Governor and his entire party chieftains had gone on street celebration.