Felix Ifijeh
Another witness for the All Progressives Congress, Afuda Theophilus, has admitted that over-voting occurred in Esan North-East Local Government Area during the September 21 governorship election in Edo State.
Earlier, Usman Majek, another APC witness, had earlier confessed on Monday that similar irregularities took place in Ovia South-West Local Government Area during the election.
The Peoples Democratic Party and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo are challenging the victory of Monday Okpebholo of the APC, alleging widespread electoral fraud, including over-voting.
The Independent National Electoral Commission had declared Okpebholo winner with 291,667 votes, defeating Ighodalo, who polled 247,655 votes.
During Wednesday’s proceedings at the Justice Wilfred Kpochi-led three-member tribunal, Theophilus, who was presented by the APC to defend the election results, admitted under cross-examination that over-voting took place in Esan North-East.
Although he had initially asserted in his written witness statement that the election was free of irregularities, he conceded when confronted with official polling unit results by Ighodalo’s lead counsel, Abiodun Owonikoko (SAN), Theophilus acknowledged that the total number of votes cast exceeded the number of accredited voters.
Further questioned about Form EC25B, the INEC document used to record the serial numbers of sensitive election materials, Theophilus confirmed its purpose.
However, when presented with the actual Form EC25Bs used during the election, he admitted they were left blank, lacking serial numbers, signatures, or any identifying details.
The revelations add a new twist to the legal battle, as Ighodalo and the PDP seek to prove their claims of electoral malpractice before the tribunal.
