The Edo State Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Benin City, has struck out parts of the petition by the People’s Democratic Party’s candidate, challenging the election of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole in the July 14 governorship election.
The petition filed by the PDP’s candidate, Charles Arhiavbere, was struk out on the basis of non-jurisdiction.
Justice Suleiman Ambers, who delivered a ruling on the motion filed by Wole Olanipekun (SAN) challenging the jurisdiction of the Edo state election tribunal to entertain the case brought before it, struck out the paragraphs challenging the qualification of Governor Adams Oshiomhole to contest the election saying that it was a pre-election matter.
Justice Ambers held that the tribunal lacked jurisdiction to hear the parts of the petition that challenged the election on the basis of non-qualification.
He also struck out other relating paragraphs and others which he described as vague and meaningless leaving the petitioner with the paragraphs that among other things challenged the election on the basis of electoral malpractices.
The judge also described the petition as having scanty and imprecise facts and the petitioner as embarking on a wild goose chase.
Genearl Arhiavbere (Rtd), had filed the petition, alleging that Oshiomhole did not possess First School Leaving Certificate and as such was not qualified to contest the election.
Reacting to the ruling, counsel to Adams Oshiomhole, Omonuwa Omoruyi (SAN), welcomed the ruling, stating that what is left of the petition will not survive.
However, counsel to the defeated PDP’s candidate, Efe Akpofure, said he is still convinced about his petition and may on the permission of client appeal the ruling.
An elated Deputy Governor of Edo State , Dr Pius Odubu, described the ruling as victory for Edo people.
The tribunal is expected to rule on the motion compelling the Independent national Electoral Commission (INEC) to submit the electoral registers to the PDP, on Friday.