The Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has dismissed a petition challenging the election victory of Governor Monday Okpebholo and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the September 21, 2024, governorship election.

The petition, filed by the Action Alliance (AA) and Adekunle Rufai Omoaje, was thrown out for lacking merit and being frivolous.

In its first judgment delivered on Wednesday, the Tribunal ruled that Omoaje had no locus standi to institute the case. The court held that he did not participate in the election and, therefore, had no legal grounds to challenge its outcome.

Furthermore, the Tribunal found that Omoaje’s grievance stemmed from his non-recognition as the National Chairman of the Action Alliance in the nomination of a candidate for the election. However, it ruled that his claims had no basis under the Electoral Act 2022.

Omoaje had sought to nullify the declaration of Okpebholo and the APC as winners of the election, alleging non-compliance with the Electoral Act, corruption, and a failure to secure the majority of lawful votes. He also claimed that AA was prevented from nominating a lawful candidate due to his exclusion from the nomination process.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Okpebholo victorious with 291,667 votes, defeating his closest rival, Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who secured 247,655 votes.

With this ruling, Governor Okpebholo and the APC have secured their first legal victory in the series of petitions challenging their election win.