The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected the results of the Edo State governorship election, which declared Senator Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner.
The PDP claims that its candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, clearly won the election, citing results from polling units across the state.
The PDP alleges that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and some security officials colluded with the APC to alter and substitute genuine results with fabricated figures. The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, stated that the results presented by the Chairman of the Edo State Governorship Election National Campaign Council, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, showed Ighodalo in a clear lead.
The PDP Governors Forum, led by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, urged INEC to announce results that accurately reflect the wishes of the Edo people. The forum expressed concern about the threat to democracy posed by the APC government’s “total state capture inclination.”
Youths from the PDP staged a protest at the INEC office, alleging tampering with the results. The state chairman of the PDP, Tony Aziegbemi, demanded a re-collation and re-computation of the results, citing irregularities in three local government areas.
Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki urged citizens to remain calm and avoid violence, stating that “peace and justice will always win at the end.”
Senator Okpebholo promised to replicate the achievements of Senator Godswill Akpabio during his time as Governor of Akwa Ibom State. Former Governor Adams Oshiomhole praised Okpebholo, saying, “God has decreed Senator Okpebholo to make up for the eight years disaster of Obaseki and Asue together.”
The Labour Party’s Public Relations Officer, Sam Uruopa, stated that the party is reviewing the results and will take a position after the review. He expressed concern about electorate inducement on Election Day, which “puts a dent on the credibility of the process.”
