Edo Guber Polls: PDP, APC Clash Over Rigging, Election Malpractice Allegations

Ahead of the September 21 Edo State governorship election, a fierce confrontation has erupted between the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC).

The PDP has accused former Governor Adams Oshiomhole of planning to rig the election in polling units near his hometown of Iyamho.

EKO HOT BLOG reports that during a press conference in Benin City, Edo State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, alleged that Oshiomhole intended to use security forces, including the Commander of Mopol 60, to facilitate election fraud.

According to Nehikhare, Oshiomhole’s supporters are expected to seize and tamper with ballot papers and other election materials, as they did in the 2020 election. Nehikhare pointed out discrepancies in the last election’s results, citing a BVAS report that showed over 1,000 votes were recorded despite only 210 people being accredited.

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Nehikhare also claimed that APC agents are involved in the large-scale production of masks and police uniforms to disguise thugs for disrupting voting in areas where the APC is anticipated to lose.

He reported that APC thugs are being gathered in various locations, including Egor Local Government Area, under the guise of security operations. Additionally, he alleged that about 200 militants have been mobilized to disrupt elections in the riverine areas of the state.

Responding to these accusations, Edo APC Governorship Campaign Council Director of Publicity, Orobosa Omo-Ojo, dismissed the claims as delusional. Omo-Ojo, a former commissioner under Oshiomhole, characterised the PDP’s allegations as baseless and attributed them to the PDP’s fear of defeat.

He also criticised Governor Godwin Obaseki and PDP candidate Asue Ighodalo for refusing to sign a peace accord, which he said reveals their intent to use violence to secure victory.

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Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has rejected calls for the redeployment of Edo State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof. Anugbum Onuoha. PDP chairman Tony Aziegbemi had requested Onuoha’s redeployment due to his previous associations with Nyesom Wike’s administration.

INEC Chief Press Secretary Rotimi Oyekanmi assured that the election process will remain transparent and emphasized that the REC’s office would not influence the outcome.

On the eve of the election, INEC will disclose the number of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) issued. The collection period was extended to accommodate additional voters, with final figures expected soon.

Labour Party candidate Olumide Akpata criticised both Ighodalo and APC’s Senator Monday Okpebholo for their absence from a gubernatorial debate, accusing them of avoiding accountability.

Patience Ndidi-Key of the PRP lamented the disregard shown by the major parties, while Eddie Emessiri of the Nigeria Election Debate Group condemned the candidates’ absence as indicative of a troubling trend in Nigerian politics.

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