The Edo State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal has announced that it will be relocating its proceedings from Benin City, the state capital, to Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.
This relocation was communicated through a notice dated January 24, 2025, signed by the Tribunal Secretary, Mu’azu Bagudu, and shared with all parties involved in the case.
The notice reads 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.”
No specific reason was provided for the move.
The decision follows a disruption on January 15, 2025, when gunshots were fired outside the tribunal venue in Benin City. Hoodlums were reported to have gathered near the venue, causing panic and forcing people to flee for safety.
The tribunal had begun hearing petitions challenging the outcome of the September 21, 2024, Edo State governorship election, in which Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was declared the winner. Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is the main challenger.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Okpebholo as the winner with 291,667 votes, while Ighodalo received 247,274 votes. Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party (LP) placed third with 22,763 votes.
The PDP and APC have traded accusations over the shooting incident at the tribunal venue.
