The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has responded to allegations of election rigging leveled against it by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors.
The governors had claimed that INEC manipulated the results of the 2024 Edo State governorship election and the recent Ondo election to favor the All Progressives Congress (APC).
According to the PDP governors, electoral irregularities prevented their candidate, Asue Ighodalo, from winning in Edo. They also accused INEC of altering results to benefit the APC and urged the judiciary and lawmakers to enhance electoral laws to combat what they referred to as “institutional sabotage of the will of the people”.
However, Rotimi Oyekanmi, Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, described the allegations as “unfortunate and inappropriate.” Oyekanmi emphasized that INEC, as a law-abiding body, cannot comment on ongoing court matters. He criticized the PDP governors for engaging in a “media trial,” encouraging them to present their evidence in court instead of making unsubstantiated claims publicly.
Oyekanmi pointed out that the PDP has filed a petition at the tribunal to contest the Edo State governorship election results, suggesting they should provide their evidence there. He also defended INEC’s performance in the Ondo State election, labeling it one of the best elections conducted by the Commission.
“It is not healthy to accept the outcome of an election only when you win,” Oyekanmi said, urging political parties to adopt a spirit of sportsmanship.
The electoral body had declared Monday Okpebholo of the APC winner of the Edo election with 291,667 votes, while the PDP candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, secured 247,274 votes. Labour Party’s Olumide Akpata came third with 22,761 votes.
