Breaking News: Purported Edo Election Judgement Surfaces Online

A shocking development has emerged in the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal case, as copies of an unsigned document, purported to be the judgment of the tribunal, have surfaced online, stirring controversy and speculation.

The document, which bears the petition number of the case filed by the Peoples Democratic Party and its governorship candidate, Asuerime Ighodalo, against Governor Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress, has raised questions about its authenticity and the potential implications for the outcome of the case.

The leak, which occurred less than 24 hours before the tribunal is set to deliver its verdict on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, has sent shockwaves through the political landscape of Edo State. The document, which was sighted by some news organisations, indicates a split judgment, with two of the three tribunal justices ruling in favour of Governor Okpebholo, while the third justice dissented.

According to the document, the majority judgment held that the petitioners, Ighodalo and the PDP, failed to prove their allegations of electoral irregularities and malpractices against Governor Okpebholo and the APC. The dissenting judgment, on the other hand, reportedly held that the petitioners had established a prima facie case of electoral misconduct and that the election should be nullified.

The authenticity of the document has been called into question, with many wondering whether it represents the tribunal’s actual decision. The tribunal has not officially commented on the document, and it is unclear whether it is a genuine draft of the judgment or a fake document intended to influence public opinion.

The leak has sparked a heated debate on social media, with supporters of both parties trading accusations and speculations about the authenticity of the document. While some have hailed the document as a “victory” for Governor Okpebholo, others have dismissed it as a “fake” and a “desperate attempt” to sway public opinion.

According to a PDP spokesperson, the party is disturbed by the leak, which appears to be a draft of the tribunal’s judgment in the case filed by the PDP and its governorship candidate, Asuerime Ighodalo, against Governor Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“We are shocked and disturbed by the leak of this document, which appears to be a draft of the tribunal’s judgment,” the spokesperson said. “We urge the tribunal to investigate this matter and to ensure that the integrity of the judicial process is maintained.”

The PDP has released a statement, expressing concern about the leaked document, according to a PDP spokesperson, the party is disturbed by the leak, which appears to be a draft of the tribunal’s judgment in the case filed by the PDP and its governorship candidate, Asuerime Ighodalo, against Governor Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“We are shocked and disturbed by the leak of this document, which appears to be a draft of the tribunal’s judgment,” the spokesperson said. “We urge the tribunal to investigate this matter and to ensure that the integrity of the judicial process is maintained.”

The APC, on the other hand, has welcomed the document, saying that it confirms their confidence in the tribunal’s ability to deliver a fair and just verdict. “We have always maintained that our candidate, Governor Okpebholo, won the election fair and square,” said an APC spokesperson. “This document appears to confirm our position, and we look forward to the tribunal’s official verdict on Wednesday.”