The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that it will make available electoral materials from the September 21 Edo State governorship poll today, Wednesday, October 9, 2024.
This development comes after the PDP alleged that INEC officials were deliberately withholding the materials to conceal alleged rigging.
According to Dr. Augbum Onuoha, Resident Electoral Commissioner for Edo State, “We have asked them to come tomorrow (Wednesday)”. This statement addresses concerns raised by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, who claimed INEC was withholding materials.
The PDP and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo, have vowed to challenge the election results, which declared Senator Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) the winner with 291,667 votes. Ighodalo secured 247,274 votes.
The PDP obtained a court order to inspect electoral materials, including voter registers, ballot papers, and BVAS machine results. However, they were denied access by INEC officials, sparking allegations of manipulation and obstruction of justice.
On Tuesday, the women’s wing of the Edo PDP staged a protest, demanding the return of Ighodalo’s allegedly stolen mandate. Stella Okoro, spokesperson for the group, expressed their pain and frustration, stating, “We are not lions and tigers, we voted. Edo people came out to vote for Asue Ighodalo… Give us our mandate or else we will not rest until they give it to us.”
In response, the Edo APC Governorship Campaign Council denied involvement, claiming the PDP’s allegations are false and misrepresent the situation at INEC’s Benin office.
