By DADA AYOKHAI
Edo State will likely be the cynosure of attention this year due to the plethora of unfolding political events in the state.
However, the proceedings at the Edo Petition Tribunal will ultimately subsume every other political issue since any verdict pronounced by the Tribunal would have significant political ramifications on the polity as well as determining the fate of either the incumbent, Sen. Monday Okpevbolo, or his rival, Bar Asue Ighodalo of the PDP.
As the Tribunal resumes its full activities this year, the focus will shift to the two lead counsels representing the APC and the PDP.
Incidentally, both men seem to have earned the trust of their clients to have been handed the brief at the expense of the more popular Lagos or Abuja-based lawyers.
Firstly, they both hold the esteemed title of Senior Advocates of Nigeria, SAN.
Secondly, they both have the head office of their chambers in Benin.
Thirdly, they are both known to have consistently represented the APC and the PDP in various state and federal courts.
Suddenly, the two lawyers will be working against their previous party at the tribunal,.
Barrister Ken Morzia will stand for the PDP as lead counsel, while Barrister Ferdinand Orbih will be for the APC.
Eyebrows have also been raised about the ease with which the two lawyers have shifted allegiances in such a brief period.
Just a few months ago, Barrister Ferdinand Orbih was a prominent figure in the PDP camp. He is the elder brother of Chief Dan Osi Orbih, the former Edo PDP state chairman, who later ascended to become the PDP South-South zonal chairman.
For nearly 12 years, Orbih handled managed all legal matters for the Edo PDP.
His younger brother, Chief Dan Orbih, is known to have influenced legal contracts to him during his tenure as state chairman of the party from 2008 to 2019.
Conversely, Barrister Ken Mozia has been entrenched in the representation of APC side.
He has been managing the Edo APC’s legal briefs since when it was known as the Action Congress of Nigeria.
He also played a crucial role as one of the legal counsels for Comrade Adams Oshiomole during his battle to secure a second term in office.
He will be representing PDP at the Election petition Tribunal.
While Bar Orbih will deploy every legal tactic available to outmanoeuvre the PDP, Bar Mozia will undoubtedly aim to deliver a formidable challenge to the APC.
Observers are left contemplating how to categorize the sudden shifting allegiances of these lead counsels—whether it should be termed a defection or a switching of camp.
