An unsigned document purported to be the judgment from the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has surfaced online, causing a stir and raising questions about its authenticity.

According to reports from PUNCH on Tuesday, April 1, the document, which bears the petition number for the case filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its gubernatorial candidate, Asuerime Ighodalo, against Governor Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC), emerged just a day before the tribunal was scheduled to deliver its official verdict on Wednesday, April 2, 2025. This leak has fueled speculation regarding whether the document represents the tribunal's actual decision.

The document, which was reviewed by The PUNCH, appears to show a split judgment. According to the leaked copy, two of the three justices ruled in favor of Okpebholo, while one justice dissented. The tribunal panel, led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, allegedly had Justice A. B. Yusuf aligning with the chairman to uphold Okpebholo’s election. On the other hand, Justice A. A. Adewole sided with Ighodalo, ruling in his favor.

The document reveals that Justices Kpochi and Yusuf dismissed the petitioners' claims of election irregularities. They acknowledged some discrepancies during the election but concluded that these issues were not substantial enough to impact the election outcome. Citing precedents from the Supreme Court, they stated that the margin of victory remained unchanged despite the observed irregularities.

However, Justice Adewole disagreed, arguing that the total valid votes showed Ighodalo had secured 243,113 votes, while Okpebholo had 210,326. Justice Adewole declared the election invalid due to non-compliance with the Electoral Act and ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to issue a fresh Certificate of Return to Ighodalo. He also emphasized that the PDP’s claims had not been adequately countered, pointing to evidence that suggested the results were incorrectly declared