— Former Deputy Governor Omobayo hails testimony
— Oshiomhole storms out of court
ABUJA — A key witness for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) delivered a compelling testimony at the Edo State Election Petition Tribunal on Friday, detailing multiple instances of over-voting in favor of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Etsako East Local Government Area.
Appearing before the tribunal as a Polling Unit Agent, the witness methodically demonstrated how the total number of votes cast at his polling unit exceeded the number of accredited voters recorded by the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS). His testimony, presented with clarity and mathematical precision, was supported by the presence of the BVAS machine submitted to the tribunal by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) the previous day.
Under cross-examination by counsels for the APC and its candidate, Monday Okpebholo, the witness meticulously outlined the discrepancies, asserting that the results should have been nullified but were instead accepted and collated.
The testimony drew a strong reaction from political figures in attendance. Former Edo State Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu (Omobayo) was seen congratulating the witness during a court recess, visibly impressed by his performance. Meanwhile, APC leader and former Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole, attending the proceedings for the first time since the start of the tribunal, walked out of the courtroom in apparent frustration following the witness’s damning account.
The tribunal continues its sitting in Abuja, with the PDP set to present more witnesses in its bid to challenge the election results.