Airhiavbere vs Oshiomhole: Edo guber petition tribunal reserves judgment

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

BENIN—Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, Thursday, concluded hearing in the petition by Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate in the July 14, 2012, governorship election, Gen. Charles Airhiavbere (rtd), against the re-election of Governor Adams Oshiomhole.

Airhiavbere had approached the tribunal, challenging the educational qualification of Oshiomhole and alleging irregularities in the July 14, 2012 governorship poll.

Adopting their written addresses, counsel to Oshiomhole, Mr. Adeniyi Akintola, SAN, argued that “it is crystal clear now that the petitioner had abandoned his claim as nothing was said about corruption or malpractices, which were the basis of his petition in their adopted of written address. Even the conclusion did not contain any corruption and non-compliance with the Electoral Act and they threw their eggs in one basket by bringing in only certificate qualification, which is to be decided by the Supreme Court.”

But countering his contention, counsel to Airhiavbere, Mr. Efe Akpofure, SAN, disagreed, noting that the Court of Appeal had already made the issue of Oshiomhole’s certificate as part of issues to be determined by the tribunal, adding that their adopted written address contain details of their petition.

However, chairman of the tribunal, Justice Muazu Pindiga, after the adoption of written addresses reserved ruling till a later date.