Accord Party Candidate Drags INEC to Tribunal Over Edo Governorship Election (See Document)

 From Moshood Karim

Dr. Bright Enabulele, the Accord Party candidate in the recent September 21 governorship election in Edo State, has filed a petition with the State election tribunal, seeking to challenge the election outcome.

The petition disputes the declaration of Senator Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as Governor-elect, alleging electoral malpractices.

In his petition, Enabulele cited widespread irregularities during the election, including alleged fraud and manipulation by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

He expressed particular concern about the results from Ward 5 at St. Saviour Ivbiyeneva Primary School unit 1, in Ikpoba/Okha Local Government Area. According to Enabulele, he cast his vote at the unit, but the official tally shockingly recorded zero votes in his favour.

Speaking to reporters in Benin City after his legal team submitted the petition, Enabulele made it clear that his grievance was not with the declared winner, but with the integrity of the electoral process.

“This election was marked by fraud, intimidation, and a deliberate misrepresentation of the results by INEC,” he stated.

Enabulele went on to request that the tribunal either declare him the rightful winner or annul the election entirely.

The crux of Enabulele’s argument rests on the alleged tampering with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), which was designed to eliminate human interference.

He claims that BVAS was manipulated during the collation process, and accused INEC of colluding to undermine the transparency of the system.
“The BVAS was introduced to enhance credibility in our elections, but instead, it was compromised,” he argued.

Furthermore, Enabulele took issue with a court order obtained by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to inspect the BVAS devices.
He argued that such access could jeopardise the integrity of evidence that should be presented before the tribunal. “BVAS is central to this case, and it must be preserved for court proceedings,” Enabulele said.

The Accord Party candidate emphasised that his fight is not about personal victory but about ensuring the will of the people is respected.

“Our democracy depends on fair processes. If the election was free and fair, I would accept the results, but that was not the case here,” he concluded.

See the full petition below: