The Edo State chapters of the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party clashed over the relocation of the state’s governorship election petition tribunal from Benin City to Abuja. Parties were notified of the relocation in a notice dated January 24, 2025, signed by the tribunal secretary, Mu’azu Ibrahim.
The notice announced the relocation of the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal to Abuja at the National Judicial Institute (NJI), Airport Road, effective from Monday, January 27, 2025. No specific reason was given for the relocation, but it may be related to past disturbances at the court premises.
In response to the relocation, the Edo State Publicity Secretary of the APC accused the PDP of influencing the decision. The PDP, through its publicity secretary, attributed the relocation to the pressure from APC chieftains due to the concrete evidence presented by their party during the proceedings.
The tribunal is set to resume its proceedings in Abuja on Tuesday, January 28, 2025.