The Edo State chapters of the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Social gathering, on Friday, exchanged phrases over the relocation of the state’s governorship election petition tribunal from Benin Metropolis to Abuja.
Events within the tribunal have been knowledgeable of the relocation in a discover dated January 24, 2025, and signed by the tribunal secretary, Mu’azu Ibrahim.
The discover learn partially: “I’m directed to inform all events that the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Benin Metropolis, Edo State, has been relocated to Abuja on the Nationwide Judicial Institute (NJI), Airport Street, Abuja, efficient from Monday, twenty seventh January, 2025.”
No cause was given for the relocation of the tribunal, however it could be linked with the disturbances which have occurred on the courtroom premises up to now.
Reacting to the relocation, Edo State Publicity Secretary of the APC, Peter Uwadiae-Igbinigie, accused the PDP of orchestrating the relocation.
He mentioned, “The relocation was on account of stress from the PDP camp. First, they claimed that their witnesses didn’t be at liberty within the atmosphere to return and provides proof. That could be a far cry from the reality as a result of their witnesses have entry to the courtroom.
“Principally, they’ve found to their critical shock that the witnesses they a lot relied on have been lowered to mere nothingness in courtroom, as they haven’t been ready so as to add worth to the PDP case with their items of proof.
“In addition they really feel that the media consideration their fumbling witnesses are getting will not be doing their case any good and so they have been insisting that they need to go to an atmosphere the place curiosity and publicity can be lowered. Not too many individuals will need to go to Abuja for the case.
“We aren’t deterred by this. We’ve got a compact case and now we have a authorized crew who’re huge in dealing with election issues. We aren’t disturbed. We are going to meet them headlong and our authorized crew is able to meet them headlong on the tribunal.”
In response, the publicity secretary of the state PDP caretaker committee, Chris Nehikhare, mentioned the concrete proof offered by his celebration, which has led to undue stress from APC chieftains, should have led to the relocation of the tribunal.
He mentioned, “Given the character of the case and the quantity of concrete proof offered by the witnesses, the tribunal reckoned that it will be unsafe to proceed the proceedings in Benin Metropolis, following undue stress and a number of other threats by notable APC chieftains in Edo State to disrupt the tribunal proceedings.
“It’s believed {that a} impartial and extra secured location not underneath the management of state and nonstate actors was needed within the pursuits of justice.”
The tribunal will resume sitting in Abuja on Tuesday, January 28, 2025.