Edo: Election tribunal allows PDP, Ize-Iyamu inspect election materials

From Tony Osauzo and Ighomuaye Lucky, Benin

Edo State Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Benin City, yesterday, granted an exparte order to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its governorship candidate in the just-concluded Edo State governorship election, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu to inspect materials used for the September 28 election.
The order followed an exparte motion filed by the PDP and Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu through their counsel, Kingsley Obamogie.
Obamogie told the tribunal that the motion was in compliance with section 151 of the Electoral Act, 2010, as amended.
“In compliance with section 151 of the Electoral Act of 2010 as amended, we have approached and pray the court to grant us the permission to inspect all the electoral materials used by INEC in the just concluded Edo State Governorship Election”, he said.
Chairman of the tribunal,  Justice A. Badamasi, having studied the nine-paragraph affidavit in support of the petitioners’ motion, granted  the order.
Other members of the Tribunal are Justices E.A. Ade Sodun,  and Khadi Adamu Usman.
There was tight security around the venue of the tribunal in the precinct of the State High Court Complex along Sapele Road in Benin City during the sitting  yesterday.
In his comment, Counsel to the PDP and Pastor Ize-Iyamu, Kingsley Obamogie, explained that the motion exparte was a prelude to the petitioners filing their election petition at the tribunal.