Edo State Election Petition Tribunal on Sunday upheld the election of Hon. Dennis Idahosa of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as the winner of the Ovia federal Constituency election in Edo State.

Omosede Igbinedion of the  People’s Democratic Party (PDP), had filed a petition before the tribunal challenging the declaration of the Hon. Idahosa by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)as the  winner of the February 23 National Assembly  election.

Denis Idahosa of  the APC polled 28,509 votes to defeat Igbinedion who scored 23,345 votes.

The petitioner had approached the Court to declare her winner of the election on the ground that Idahosa was not qualified to contest the election, did not score majority of lawful votes and that the votes allocated to him should  be declared invalid.

The petitioner alleged the Idahosa had acquired a Canadian citizen, sworn allegiance to the country, an employee of the ministry of Environment and did not resigned before the election.

She added that there was over voting, eleotoral fraud and  non compliances with electoral Act during the election  and therefore  should be declared winner.

In its ruling, the tribunal led by Justice L. O. Ogundana, dismissed the petition for lack of merit and uphold the election.

“All the allegations have been proven not to talk of proven beyond reasonable doubt. There is no Iota of truth in the petition that can withstand the election, therefore the petition is hereby dismissed,”.

Speaking with journalists, Hon. Idahosa, described the judgement as victory for the people and democracy.

He said the victory will spur him to work for the people and take the Ovia federal Constituency to the next level.