An unsigned document, purported to be copies of the judgment of the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, have allegedly surfaced online, stirring uncertainty and controversy.
That document, which has the petition number of the case filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its governorship candidate, Asuerime Ighodalo, against Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC), emerged few hours to Wednesday, April 2, 2025, set down for verdict.
The leak has raised questions about the authenticity of the document, with many wondering whether it represents the tribunal’s actual decision.
According to Punch, copy of the document indicates a split judgment, with two of the three tribunal justices deciding in favour of Okpebholo, while the third dissented.
The Justice Wilfred Kpochi’s led tribunal panel , reportedly had Justice A. B. Yusuf aligning with the chairman to uphold Okpebholo’s election, while Justice A. A. Adewole ruled in favour of Ighodalo.
The document shows Justices Kpochi and Yusuf dismissed the petitioners’ claims, stating that while there were irregularities in the election, they were not substantial enough to affect the outcome.
Citing Supreme Court precedents, they held that the margin of victory remained unchanged despite observed discrepancies.
But, Justice Adewole dissented, insisting that the total valid votes showed Ighodalo polled 243,113 votes against Okpebholo’s 210,326.
He declared the election invalid due to non-compliance with the Electoral Act and ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to issue a fresh Certificate of Return to Ighodalo.
Justice Adewole further ruled that the PDP’s claims were not effectively countered and that evidence pointed to an incorrect declaration of results.
Until the official judgment is delivered, the leaked document will continue to leave Nigerians questioning whether it truly reflects the tribunal’s final ruling or is merely a product of speculation.