INEC PDP Edo Election
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Sunday criticized the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors over their accusations of electoral manipulation in the Edo State governorship election held on September 21, 2024.
INEC had declared Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner with 291,667 votes, while PDP’s candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, garnered 247,274 votes. Labour Party’s Olumide Akpata came third with 22,761 votes.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that The PDP Governors’ Forum, after a two-day meeting in Jos, Plateau State, maintained its stance that the Edo election was marred by irregularities.
They alleged that INEC manipulated the results to favor the APC and accused the commission of tampering with the election outcome. The forum also raised concerns over vote-buying in Ondo State.
The PDP’s statement claimed that the Edo governorship election was a “rape of democracy,” and insisted that the majority of lawful votes were in favor of Ighodalo, not Okpebholo.
They called on the judiciary and lawmakers to strengthen electoral laws to prevent what they described as “institutional sabotage of the will of the people.”
“The forum notes with concern the manipulation of results in Edo, which favored the APC candidate when in fact the majority of lawful votes were cast for our candidate, Mr. Asue Ighodalo,” the PDP Governors’ Forum said in its communique.
“We are also reviewing documents related to the Ondo elections, where the APC allegedly bought votes and manipulated results. We urge the judiciary to safeguard Nigerian democracy and for the National Assembly to review electoral laws to prevent further tampering with the will of the people.”
Responding to these claims, Rotimi Oyekanmi, the Chief Press Secretary to INEC’s Chairman, described the allegations as “unfortunate and inappropriate,” adding that the matter was sub judice as it was before the court. He criticized the PDP governors for pursuing a “media trial” and urged them to present their evidence in court rather than making public accusations.
“Interestingly, it is the PDP that filed a petition at the tribunal to challenge the results of the Edo governorship election, yet they continue to raise the same issues in the media. They should present their evidence in court instead of trying this case in the court of public opinion,” Oyekanmi remarked.
On the allegations regarding the Ondo election, Oyekanmi defended INEC’s conduct, describing the election as one of the commission’s best performances, despite acknowledging that it was not perfect.
INEC PDP Edo Election
“We do not claim it was a perfect election, but it was a good outing,” he said, urging political parties to accept election outcomes in the spirit of sportsmanship. “It’s unhealthy to accept an election result only when it favors you,” he added.
The APC also weighed in on the controversy, urging the PDP governors to focus on their legal challenge rather than fueling public sentiment. APC National Publicity Director Bala Ibrahim told The PUNCH that the PDP should use the legal route, rather than engaging in a media campaign.
“Why is the PDP refusing to take the matter to the constitutional court, as the law requires? If they are dissatisfied with the election outcome, they should seek legal redress in court,” Ibrahim said. “It seems the PDP is attempting to whip up public sentiment and incite civil disobedience, which could undermine the constitution.”
Ibrahim also questioned the PDP’s motives, recalling their refusal to sign the Peace Accord before the election. He suggested that the PDP may be planning something that could undermine the constitutional process.
“These governors were put in office by the courts, not the court of public opinion,” Ibrahim said. “Now, they are encouraging the public to disregard the constitution. It’s concerning, especially considering that some of them are lawyers and journalists who should know better. They should rethink their approach and respect the constitutional process.”
As the political tension continues to rise, the PDP and APC remain at odds over the legitimacy of the Edo and Ondo elections, with both parties calling for different courses of action to ensure fairness and transparency in Nigeria’s electoral system.
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