Edo Election Dispute: APC Witnesses Testify, Admit Over-Voting in Some Polling Units

The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Tuesday began its defense in the ongoing dispute over the Edo State governorship election, calling four witnesses at the Election Petition Tribunal in Abuja. Some of the witnesses admitted that over-voting occurred in certain polling units.

The petition was filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo, challenging the election outcome. The four witnesses, who served as APC collation agents in various local governments, testified before the tribunal.

Led by APC’s counsel, Echezona Etiaba (SAN), the first witness, Afuda Theophilus Idemudia, a businessman from Benin City, stated that he monitored the election in Esan North East Local Government. He identified his statement on oath and confirmed that the PDP agent had signed the election results from the area.

Idemudia reviewed a document titled Ballot Paper and Verification Statement (Exhibit PCB-40) and acknowledged that certain sections were to be filled by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials before and after the polls. When asked about specific ballot paper serial numbers, he verified their inclusion in the document.

During cross-examination by petitioners’ counsel, Abiodun Owonikoko (SAN), Idemudia admitted that over-voting occurred in Unit 11, Ward 6. He confirmed that 96 voters were accredited, but the total votes counted were 97. He acknowledged that the result was canceled due to this discrepancy.

The second witness, Kamarudeen Coker Bello, also a businessman, served as APC’s local government agent in Akoko Edo. He confirmed signing his witness statement on November 9, 2024, and adopting it in court. Under questioning, Bello acknowledged that the petitioners had alleged over-voting in 17 polling units in Akoko Edo.

Gabriel Iduseri, the third witness, an engineer and APC’s collation agent for Oredo Local Government, stated that there were no complaints about the election’s conduct from party agents. However, he admitted that results from Unit 8, Ward 10, were canceled at the Ward Collation Centre due to over-voting. He also acknowledged that petitioners had cited 53 and 66 polling units in Oredo where they claimed INEC recorded incorrect results, though he could not recall the exact number.

The fourth witness, Frank David, APC’s collation agent for Owan West Local Government, testified that INEC officials properly collated results from all polling units and that representatives of PDP and the Labour Party (LP) signed the final result sheets.

Under cross-examination, David admitted that while INEC officials were required to document sensitive materials issued for the election, he could not confirm if this was done. When presented with an IReV report for Ward 4, Unit 19, he confirmed that 36 voters were accredited, but the total recorded votes amounted to 37. Similarly, he verified another result from Ward 8, Unit 8, showing a total of 80 votes, despite a different accreditation figure.

David also confirmed that results from Unit 5 were canceled due to over-voting.

At the end of the testimonies, APC’s lead counsel, Emmanuel Ukala (SAN), informed the tribunal that the party was preparing additional documents to be presented as evidence. The tribunal adjourned proceedings until today.