The Justice A.O Chijoke led Edo State House of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal, Friday voided the election of Hon. Destiny Enabulele as member representing Ovia South West Constituency at the State Assembly.
The tribunal accordingly declared the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the election, Hon. Sunday Aghedo as the rightful winner of the poll.
Justice Chijioke nullified the election of Enabulele of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on the ground of non-compliance with the Electoral Act, 2022 as amended.
He held that the deducted votes from Destiny were invalid by way of corrupt practices, manipulation of figures and non-compliance with the 2022 electoral act.
The tribunal ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to withdraw the Certificate of Return earlier issued to Enabulele and issue same to Hon. Aghedo.
INEC had declared Enabulele winner of the election with a total 8,661 votes as against Aghedo 7,946 votes after the supplementary election.
The Commission had declared the March 18, State house of Assembly election inconclusive and ordered supplementary election.
Dissatisfied with INEC declaration, Aghedo approached the tribunal on the ground of irregularities, malpractices and non-compliance with the electoral ACT as well as over voting and invalid votes in the election.
The tribunal however deducted 1000 votes from the votes accredited to Destiny Enabulele after perusing the documents submitted to it by parties and listening to athe arguments of both counsels.
