Ighodalo considers withdrawal as SDP, ADP, ZLP, APM, AP, AA opt out of Tribunal
The candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the September 21, 2024, Edo State governorship election, Mr. Asue Ighodalo, is reportedly considering withdrawing his petition challenging the victory of Governor Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Although no formal communication has been made to the Election Petition Tribunal, sources indicate that discussions are ongoing within the PDP camp regarding the viability of continuing the legal battle.
This is coming on the heel of several other political parties that had initially contested the election results have decided to withdraw their cases. This morning, the Allied People's Movement (APM) withdraw their case against INEC, Senator Monday Okpevbholo and APC.
Earlier, this week, the Social Democratic Party, SDP withdrew their case and the tribunal subsequently struck it out.
Also about to dump their cases are the Action Democratic Party (ADP), Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Accord Party (AP), and Action Alliance (AA). They are set to follow suit, it was learnt.
According to insiders, the decision by the PDP’s candidate and other parties to consider withdrawing is stemmed from their inability to make significant progress in court. Witnesses presented by the petitioners have reportedly delivered weak, inconsistent, and contradictory testimonies, leading to concerns that continuing the legal process may be futile.
It was learnt that most of the testimonies of the witnesses of the PDP candidate have been embarrassing, further weakening the cases against Governor Okpebholo’s victory.
During the tribunal’s last sitting yesterday, Justice Kpochi acknowledged the withdrawal of the ADP’s petition after receiving a formal letter signed by the party’s representatives.
The judge instructed the respondents to file affidavits confirming that the petitioners were neither coerced nor induced into withdrawing their cases.
Other parties, including the ZLP, APM, AP, and AA, are expected to submit similar withdrawal letters today, signaling a rapid collapse of opposition legal challenges to the APC’s victory.
While the PDP remains the largest opposition force in the case, sources suggest that the party is weighing its options carefully. With multiple withdrawals from smaller parties and increasing doubts over the strength of available evidence, there are indications that Ighodalo and the PDP leadership may decide to cut their losses and withdraw rather than face an extended legal battle with uncertain prospects.
