Our reporter
A dramatic turn of events unfolded at the Edo 2024 Governorship Election Tribunal in Abuja on Friday, as a 61-year-old witness for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Muitaru Yusuf, found himself at the centre of a legal storm, facing the prospect of imprisonment for perjury.
Mr. Yusuf, who had testified in favour of the PDP’s petition to contest the results of the Edo governorship election, was accused of providing false evidence under oath. The controversy emerged during cross-examination by Barrister Ferdinand Orbih, the counsel representing Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo.
The witness had claimed that his testimony, delivered on October 11, 2024, was based on screenshots of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) results. However, Barr. Orbih pointed out a critical inconsistency – the PDP had only obtained certified true copies of the BVAS results on January 8, 2025, months after Mr. Yusuf’s statement was made. This revelation undermined the credibility of the witness and raised serious concerns about the veracity of his testimony.
Under further questioning, Mr. Yusuf admitted that his statements were not based on his own knowledge but rather on instructions from the PDP, retracting his earlier claims. His admission is likely to have significant legal consequences, as perjury is a serious criminal offence under Section 118 of the Nigerian Criminal Code, carrying a potential sentence of up to 14 years in prison.
The development is a major setback for the PDP, which is challenging the election results after Governor Okpebholo, of the All Progressives Congress (APC), secured a resounding victory. The integrity of the PDP’s petition has now come under intense scrutiny, with the tribunal forced to consider whether other witnesses may have similarly fabricated evidence.
Political analysts are now raising questions about the motives behind the PDP’s legal challenge, with some suggesting that the party’s leadership is attempting to undermine the election results by any means necessary. The revelation casts doubt on the sincerity of the party’s claims and could weaken their position in the ongoing legal battle.
For many observers, this latest development signals a broader issue about the credibility of election-related legal challenges in Nigeria. As the tribunal continues, all eyes will be on the potential legal ramifications for those involved in what appears to be an attempt to manipulate the judicial process.
The situation has placed the PDP, led by its governorship candidate, Asue Ighodaro, in a difficult position. With the allegations of perjury hanging over the party, the road ahead looks increasingly uncertain as they seek to overturn the results of an election that many in Edo have already deemed legitimate.
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