By Jethro Ibileke
The Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, on Wednesday, reserved ruling on a motion seeking the dismissal of a petition by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), challenging the victory of Governor Monday Okpebholo.
Counsel to the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ferdinand Orbih (SAN), had in a motion at the pre-hearing sitting of the three-man Tribunal, described the petition of the PDP as incompetent.
Orbih told the panel that the PDP’s petition was not filed in accordance with the provisions of the law.
Besides, he argued that the Tribunal lacked jurisdiction to entertain the matter.
He outlined further grounds for seeking the dismissal of the petition in the motion paper dated 30 November and supported by a seven-paragraph affidavit.
In his counter-argument, Counsel to the PDP, Ken Mozia (SAN) urged the Tribunal to discount the argument of the APC.
Mozia explained that the petitioners had filed a reply and counter-affidavit to challenge the motion.
Chairman of the Tribunal, Justice Wilfred Kpochi, reserved ruling in the motion until the final day of the case.
In another motion, the APC urged the Tribunal to strike out some paragraphs in the petition filed by the PDP and its candidate in the election, Dr Asue Ighodalo.
While arguing the application, Orbih urged the Tribunal to deliver its ruling on the motion before it commenced hearing the petition.
The PDP’s Counsel, however, countered the application, urging the Tribunal to dismiss it for lack of merit.
Justice Kpochi discounts the argument of the APC, saying rulings on all preliminary motions would be delivered on the final judgement day.
Earlier, the PDP had moved four different motions, calling on the Tribunal to expunge various paragraphs in the replies of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), APC and Okpebholo to its petition.
The Tribunal however adjourned to Saturday for the parties in the case to file a common proposal that would guide the tribunal during the hearing.