From Tony Osauzo, Benin
The Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, yesterday, adjourned commencement of hearing of the petition filed by Dr. Asue Ighodalo and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) challenging the declaration of Senator Monday Okpebholo as winner of the September 21 election to tomorrow.
The hearing which was slated to commence yesterday was adjourned following applications filed by lead counsel to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Governor Monday Okpebholo, 1st and 2nd respondents to the petition, praying the court for the adjournment.
The Assistant Secretary to the Tribunal, Dayo Dahunsi, announced that there was a pending application from the first Respondent and the 2nd Respondents, seeking adjournment of the sitting to Wednesday.
He stated that the lead counsel to the two applicants had explained in their application that they would be before the Supreme Court today in a matter slated for definite hearing.
Oladipo Oshinowo, who held briefs of the lead counsel of the petitioners, Ken Mozia, said he was not opposing it in the spirit of cooperation.
“We are constrained to concede to this request for adjournment on the strength of the undertaking that such request for adjournment shall not be made by the respondents in future”, he said.
Counsel to the 3rd respondent (All Progressives Congress), Josephine Ogagaworia, also did not object to the application.
According to the election results announced by INEC, Okpebholo polled 291,667 votes to defeat Ighodalo, who recorded 247,274 votes.