By Omorodion Omoregie
A day or two ago, Rita Ebiuwa presciently posed a series of hard-hitting questions that demanded answers from INEC as they prepared to defend their role in the fraudulent Edo governorship election. She asked whether INEC would dare to present witnesses, challenge the overwhelming evidence against them, or attempt to justify their blatant electoral manipulation.
Today, INEC answered—not with explanations, not with evidence, not with witnesses—but with silence.
In a move that has sent shockwaves through the APC camp, INEC has refused to call a single witness. The same commission that declared Monday Okpebholo winner, the same body that aided the manipulation of votes, the same institution that was expected to stand by its actions in court—has now tactically withdrawn from the case.
Rita Ebiuwa’s words were prophetic. She predicted that INEC would struggle to explain:
Why PDP’s votes were transferred to APC.
Why collation of votes in key areas was moved away from designated centres.
Why Etsako West results were announced without result sheets.
How canceled votes miraculously reappeared at the state level.
What happened to Oredo Ward 1’s authentic results.
Today, we have our answer: INEC has no explanation. Instead of standing by its own election results, it folded under the weight of the evidence against it. The tribunal, which was supposed to be INEC’s platform to defend its conduct, has instead become the place where its complicity has been fully exposed and affirmed.
With INEC now abandoning ship, the APC is left scrambling. Okpebholo and his team, who were banking on INEC to salvage their stolen mandate, are now the ones begging for more time. The same people who mocked PDP for wrapping up its case efficiently are now caught unprepared.
The truth is out. The riggers are on the run. Rita Ebiuwa was right — this tribunal will be the beginning of accountability for electoral fraud.
Justice is imminent , and neither INEC nor APC can escape it.
Joy is coming.
….. Omoregie writes from Benin City.
