Gunfire erupted near the venue of the Justice Wilfred Kpochi-led Edo State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal on Wednesday morning, triggering widespread panic.
Lawyers, politicians, litigants, and journalists scrambled for safety amid fears of stray bullets. However, swift action by armed security operatives restored order, allowing the tribunal proceedings at the Edo High Court Complex, Sapele Road, Benin, to continue as planned.
The Edo APC Chairman, Jarret Tenebe, condemned the incident, calling it unacceptable and deeply concerning. He stated: “The tribunal is a sacred space, where justice is meant to be administered impartially. Any act of violence within its walls undermines the very foundation of our legal system and threatens the safety of all involved.
“Regardless of political affiliation, resorting to violence to resolve disputes is never justifiable. We must all condemn the shootings in the strongest possible terms.”
Tenebe further emphasized that violence has no place in a civilized society, calling for those responsible to be swiftly brought to justice without exception.
The tribunal is hearing petitions challenging the victory of Senator Monday Okpebholo of the APC, who won the September 21, 2024, Edo governorship election and was inaugurated on November 12, 2024.
Seven of the 18 political parties that contested the election, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Social Democratic Party (SDP), and Action Democratic Party (ADP), have filed petitions, seeking the tribunal to declare their candidates as winners of the closely fought election.
