ELECTION TRIBUNAL AND ELECTIONEERING IN NIGERIA: THE 2007 GUBERNATORIAL ELECTION IN EDO STATE-NIGERIA

Abstract

This paper delves into examining the role of Election Tribunals in the consolidation of democracy in Nigeria, using the 2007 gubernatorial election in Edo State as a case study. It was an election, consequent upon which malpractices which hinge on, among other factors, 'godfatherism', were exposed and nullified. The study adopts the narrative and descriptive methods in analysing the various primary and secondary historical sources. It thus, examines how the 2007 gubernatorial election in Edo State was conducted, beginning from the registration of voters, to the delivery of the tribunal verdict which sacked the acclaimed winner of the election, Oserheimen Osunbor of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and installed the supposed winner, Adams Oshiomhole of the Action Congress (AC) as Governor of Edo State. The paper submits that, for democracy to be established in Nigeria, the importance of election tribunals cannot be over-emphasised. This is because, as observed, the election tribunal remains the last hope of the common man. To this end, it is of utmost necessity the election tribunal be granted practical independence of operation so that it could discharge its duties without fear or favour of any sort.