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As the Supreme Court prepares to deliver judgment on the Edo State governorship election appeal on Thursday, July 10, 2025, political analyst Denis Aiyevbekpen has called on the justices to critically review lower court rulings that dismissed the petition filed by PDP candidate Asue Ighodalo.
The appeal challenges the outcome of the September 21, 2024 governorship election.
In a statement issued in Benin City, Aiyevbekpen emphasized that election petitions transcend legal technicalities, carrying the weight of historical significance, democratic legitimacy, and public trust in Nigeria’s electoral system. Titled “Edo 2024 Election Judgment: Why Supreme Court Should Review, Pass Objective Judgment,” the statement urged the apex court to demonstrate judicial courage by examining substantial allegations of irregularities in 765 polling units, rather than focusing solely on procedural matters.
The analyst criticized lower courts for dismissing the petition based on technical grounds, particularly the “failure to call polling agents,” despite alleged discrepancies between BVAS records and officially announced results.
“This is no ordinary petition but a litmus test for judicial independence in politically sensitive cases,” Aiyevbekpen stated, stressing that the Supreme Court’s decision could either reinforce or undermine citizens’ faith in the electoral justice system.
Aiyevbekpen argued that true justice requires the court to interpret the law in spirit rather than mere technical compliance, particularly when the sovereign will of voters is at stake.
He maintained that electoral disputes of this magnitude demand judicial scrutiny that prioritizes substantive evidence over procedural formalities, especially given the serious allegations of irregularities that could potentially invalidate the election’s outcome. The forthcoming judgment is widely anticipated as a defining moment for Nigeria’s electoral jurisprudence.
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cc: Daily Post Ng
