By SIMON EBEGBULEM

BENIN—THE reconstituted Edo State Governorship Petition Tribunal, headed by Justice Muazu Pindinga, commenced sitting in Benin, yesterday, soliciting the cooperation of all the parties in order to dispense with the matter within the stipulated time.

It will be recalled that the former tribunal, led by Justice Suleiman Ambrussa, was dissolved two weeks ago, following a petition by the governorship candidate of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the July 14, governorship election, Gen. Charles Airhiavbere (rtd), expressing loss of  confidence in the ability of the Tribunal members to do justice to the suit he filed against the re-election of Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN.

The former tribunal had thrown out the aspect of the petition which dealt with Oshiomhole’s educational qualification, declaring that the issue of qualification was a pre-election matter which the petitioner ought not to have brought before it.

Airhiavbere appealed the ruling at the Appeal Court and judgment on the appeal is expected on Wednesday, November 7.

However, when the tribunal resumed yesterday, both Governor Oshiomhole, who was represented in court by the deputy governor, Dr Pius Odubu, and Gen. Airhiavbere, expressed confidence in the re-constituted tribunal to hear the petition.

Pindinga, during the day’s session, sought the cooperation of the parties in order to dispense the matter within stipulated time. He adjourned sitting till November 14.