The Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in Abuja is currently the center of attention as it prepares to deliver its verdict on the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Asuerinme Ighodalo, challenging the election victory of Governor Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The three-member tribunal, led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, had previously reserved judgment on March 3 after all parties adopted their final written addresses.

The PDP and Ighodalo are contesting the outcome of the September 21, 2024, governorship election, alleging widespread electoral irregularities and non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022. The petitioners presented a substantial case, calling 19 witnesses and submitting numerous documents to substantiate their claims of electoral malfeasance. In contrast, the APC called only four witnesses to defend the integrity of the election results. Notably, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the body responsible for conducting the election, did not present any witnesses before the tribunal.

Adding to the intrigue surrounding the tribunal's proceedings, Nigerian music star Innocent Idibia, also known as 2Baba or 2Face, made a notable appearance at the tribunal venue. He was accompanied by his new partner, Natasha Osawaru, who is not only an Edo State lawmaker representing the Egor Constituency but also serves as the Deputy Majority Leader in the Edo State House of Assembly. Ms. Osawaru was elected on the platform of the PDP, adding a layer of political significance to their presence.

The relationship between 2Baba and Natasha Osawaru has been a subject of considerable public interest since 2Baba publicly announced his separation from his former wife, Annie Idibia, in January. Following this announcement, his subsequent proposal to Ms. Osawaru in February further amplified public attention. Recently, Natasha Osawaru updated her Instagram bio to include 2Baba's surname, Idibia, signaling a deepening of their relationship and further fueling public interest and media speculation.

In a related development, controversy has erupted over a purported leaked document containing the tribunal's judgment. The leaked document suggests a split decision among the three-member panel, with a majority of two judges allegedly affirming the election of Governor Monday Okpebholo of the APC, while the dissenting judge ruled otherwise. Both the APC and the PDP have vehemently dismissed the leaked document as fake, and there has been no official comment from the tribunal or other authorities within the judiciary regarding its authenticity.

The tribunal is tasked with delivering judgment in three separate petitions, marked EPT/ED/GOV/01/2024, EPT/ED/GOV/02/2024, and EPT/ED/GOV/03/2024. Earlier in the proceedings, on January 31, the tribunal admitted as evidence 148 Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines used during the disputed governorship poll. These electronic devices were tendered by Anthony Itodo, a Senior Technical Officer in the ICT Department of INEC, and were subsequently admitted as evidence by the panel. The petitioners had subpoenaed INEC to produce the BVAS machines from 133 polling units where election results were being contested.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared that Mr. Okpebholo of the APC secured a total of 291,667 votes, defeating his closest rival, Mr. Ighodalo of the PDP, who received 247,655 votes. Dissatisfied with the declared outcome, the PDP and its candidate approached the tribunal, seeking the nullification of INEC's declaration of the APC and Mr. Okpebholo as the winners. The petitioners argued that the governorship election was invalid due to alleged non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022.

The APC and Mr. Okpebholo have urged the tribunal to dismiss the petitions, asserting that they are baseless and that the petitioners have failed to substantiate the allegations presented in their petitions. As the tribunal prepares to deliver its judgment, supporters from both the APC and PDP have gathered in Abuja, eagerly awaiting the outcome of this critical legal challenge to the Edo State governorship election.