As the Edo State Governorship Petition Tribunal winds down, Senator Monday Okpebholo and the All Progressives Congress (APC) are in disarray amid mounting evidence proving the September 21 governorship election was rigged in their favor, prompting Okpebholo to besiege the Presidency in a desperate attempt to influence the judges and sway the tribunal’s outcome.

Troubles began in their camp when the institution that declared them winners, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), abandoned its own declaration and refused to defend its actions, failing to call a single witness. Matters worsened for Okpebholo when his sole witness admitted under cross-examination that over-voting had occurred during the election.

The situation further deteriorated when only three of the APC’s expected 24 witnesses appeared before the tribunal, and all three admitted to over-voting in their respective local councils. This dealt a significant blow to Okpebholo’s defense and strengthened the petition filed by Asue Ighodalo, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), challenging the election results. This forced them to abruptly close their case amid jitters and palpable tension.

Sources close to the governor hinted that Okpebholo appears to have lost hope and in a last-ditch effort to protect his stolen mandate, has reportedly turned to the Presidency, seeking intervention to sway the tribunal’s outcome.

The source noted, “There is palpable tension in the camps of the governor and our party’s leadership. It appears the heist of the September 21 governorship election has become indefensible, and with the way things are going at the tribunal, the outcome of the election may be overturned and Ighodalo returned as the winner.

“The governor is terrified and worried and has besieged the Presidency to intervene. Even though the President is not giving him audience due to his poor handling of local government administration in the state, the governor is exploring all avenues to gain access to the President to sway the outcome. He has met with the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, who has promised to reach out to the President on his behalf.”

“Okpebholo is currently making desperate promises to ensure that the court does not overturn his victory. He has reportedly promised Senate President Godswill Akpabio that all votes from Edo for the Senate presidency will be given to him. Additionally, Okpebholo has pledged his loyalty to the President, assuring that he will deliver 100 percent of Edo votes in favor of the President during the next presidential election. There is serious fear and uncertainty within governor’s circle, with growing anxiety over how things will pan out in the coming weeks,” the source who pleaded anonymity told our correspondent.