Without providing an explanation, the Edo State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal formally announced its relocation from Benin City to Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.
According to reports, the Tribunal Secretary, Mu’azu Bagudu, signed a statement announcing the move on Friday, January 24, 2025.
The statement claims that this geographical change has been communicated to all parties involved in the case.
According to the report, the notification states, “I am directed to notify all parties that the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, which was previously located 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.”
Recall that on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal began hearings in Benin City, the state capital, but was stopped by gunfire.
People were reportedly seen acting violently outside the well-known tribunal site, where gunfire sparked mayhem and forced participants to evacuate for their safety.
The tribunal started considering petitions challenging the outcome of the September 21, 2024, Edo gubernatorial election, which was won by Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
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Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is the main adversary in the trial.
With 291,667 votes, Okpebholo was declared the election winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Ighodalo received 247,274 votes, and Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party (LP) came in third with 22,763 votes.
Following the shooting incident at the tribunal venue, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) traded allegations over who was responsible for the violence.
