Toba Owojaiye reporting
Benin City, Edo State
The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has strongly condemned the verdict of the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, describing it as a “travesty of justice.”
In its press statement made (available to Truth Live News and other reputable media houses), after its State Caretaker Committee meeting held on April 7, the party announced its full support for its candidate, Asue Ighodalo, in his decision to challenge the ruling at the appellate court.
The meeting, chaired by Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, brought together key members of the PDP’s interim leadership structure to deliberate on the outcome of the tribunal’s judgment, which had dismissed the party’s petition against the recently concluded governorship election.
According to the statement signed by Hon. Henry Duke Tenebe, Secretary of the Caretaker Committee, the party found the tribunal’s ruling deeply flawed and inconsistent with the principles of fairness and due process.
” The judgement of the election petition tribunal was a travesty of justice,” the communique stated. “We endorse wholeheartedly the decision of our candidate, Asue Ighodalo, to appeal this obnoxious judgment.”
The PDP further urged its members and the people of Edo State to remain steadfast and not lose faith in the judiciary or democratic processes, despite the outcome at the tribunal. The statement emphasized the importance of preserving public confidence in the rule of law, especially in an evolving democracy like Nigeria.
“We call on all PDP members and the good people of Edo State to remain resolute and not allow the verdict of the Election Tribunal to dampen their confidence in the institution of the Judiciary and democracy in Nigeria,” the party added.
The tribunal’s judgment, which upheld the election results in favour of the opposition, has sparked a new wave of political tension in Edo State, with analysts forecasting a drawn-out legal battle that could shape the state’s political future.
As the PDP prepares for the next legal phase, observers are watching closely to see whether the courts will address the concerns raised or further deepen the public’s skepticism about electoral justice in Nigeria, which is at an all time low.
