By Ogochukwu Isioma
The legal battle over the September 21, 2024 Edo State Governorship election has taken an intriguing turn as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Asue Ighodalo, was on Friday spotted in Asaba, Delta State, at a meeting of PDP governors, while proceedings at the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal continued in Abuja.
Ighodalo and his party, the PDP had petitioned the tribunal to challenge the outcome of the election which saw the emergence of All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo as Governor. The final results were declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
However, while the legal representatives of the parties involved remained engaged in the courtroom, including leaders of the APC and Edo State Deputy Governor, Dennis Idahosa, Ighodalo was conspicuously absent, neither did he send his deputy governorship candidate and running mate, Osarodion Ogie to represent him like Idahosa who apparently represented his boss and one of the respondents in the case, Governor Okpebholo.
The PDP governorship candidate’s absence from the tribunal proceedings has raised eyebrows, fueling speculation about his confidence in the case and the purpose of his meeting with the PDP governors, yesterday in Asaba.
A Strategic Gathering or a Desperate Move?
The PDP Governors’ Forum meeting in Asaba, where Ighodalo was seen, brought together leaders and governors of the nation’s opposition party. While details of their discussions remain largely unknown, political observers believe that Ighodalo may be seeking their counsel and support as his case at the tribunal progresses.
Some analysts suggest that his visit indicates a ‘strategic move’ to consolidate party backing, possibly in preparation for the next phase of the legal contest. Others, however, view it as a sign that he may be anticipating an unfavourable outcome at the tribunal and is looking for political alternatives should the judgment not go in his favour.
A source within the PDP familiar with the matter, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, described the meeting as “important” and linked it to the tribunal case. “The party is solidly behind Ighodalo, and at this stage, every move counts. You don’t go into a battle alone; you need your generals,” the source said.
The Edo Governorship Election Tribunal, which was initially seated in Benin before relocating to Abuja for security reasons, has been a battleground for intense legal arguments. Ighodalo and the PDP had in their petition, called for the nullification of election results, citing alleged electoral malpractices.
However, his decision to prioritize political consultations in Asaba over personal participation in the tribunal proceedings in Abuja has raised questions about his level of confidence in the legal process. A legal expert familiar with the case said, “Ordinarily, a candidate who believes strongly in his case would be more focused on the proceedings. But when you start seeing high-level political meetings at this stage, it often suggests a backup plan is in motion.”
Another lawyer and one of the legal counsels, who chose to remain anonymous, noted, “Court cases are won with evidence, not political meetings. Unless there is a political angle to this case that we do not know about, Ighodalo should be concentrating on his legal arguments rather than seeking party endorsements.”
An Abuja-based political analyst, Austin Sylvia, who also weighed in on the development, said while it is not unusual for politicians to seek support from party leaders during election disputes, Ighodalo’s absence from the tribunal at such a critical time may be telling.
“If he were confident about the strength of his case, he would likely be more focused on the proceedings in Abuja rather than engaging in high-level political meetings in Asaba,” said the political analyst familiar with the case.
Meanwhile, the coming days will be crucial as the tribunal continues to deliberate, with legal teams from parties involved presenting evidence and arguments before the judges. If Ighodalo’s absence from the courtroom was part of a broader strategy or over failure scare, its impact will soon become evident. His outreach to PDP governors may also be an indication that the party is preparing for a post-tribunal scenario, whether that means further legal appeals or political recalibrations for the future.
As the tribunal continues its hearings in Abuja, all eyes remain on the unfolding drama—inside and outside the courtroom.
