The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State has expressed optimism that in the coming days the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will see reasons to withdraw its petition against the election of Governor Monday Okpebholo.
It also said the inadequacies of the testimonies of the PDP witnesses at the Tribunal is evident that the party risks its case being dismissed by the election tribunal.
The governing party said the PDP lacks substantial evidence to pursue its case against the Governor, as it hopes that the party will follow the examples of the Action Democratic Party (ADP), Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) and Allied People’s Movement (APM).
The three opposition parties represented by Comrade Wisdom Isaac, claimed that they withdrew their cases against the Governor for the good of the state.
The withdrawn petitions were thereafter, Friday, dismissed by the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja.
In his speech, Comrade Isaac, underscored the importance of maintaining peace for the flourishing of the state, emphasizing that the petitioners did not intend to disrupt the governor’s efforts in leading the state.
He acknowledged that there will be future opportunities to demonstrate their zeal to lead the state as they set their sights on the 2028 gubernatorial election.
Counsel for the Allied People’s Movement, Barrister Jackson Ehiabhi echoed the same sentiments, asserting that the petitioners chose to avoid distracting the governor from his responsibilities, placing the well-being of Edo State above their individual ambitions
With the tribunal’s dismissal of the petitions, a total of four cases have now been put to rest, with the focus shifting towards the petition filed by the PDP.
The APC however said that it is hopeful that PDP will follow suit by withdrawing its petition the way other parties did having been faced with real facts that their allegations lacked substantial foundation as evidenced in the weak testimonies of their witnesses at the tribunal.
In the meantime, APC and Governor Monday Okpebholo are expected to open their defense against the PDP petition to justify their victory at the last year gubernatorial election.
