- PDP Alleges: APC Rigged The Election, Not A Reflection of Edo People”
- APC Replies PDP: “You Lied, Edo people Voted Massively For Us”
By Abiola Olawale
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) are locked in a fierce battle of words following the victory of the latter’s governorship candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, at the just-concluded Edo State governorship election.
The New Diplomat reports that Okpebholo secured a total of 291,667 votes to defeat Dr Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who got 247,274 votes, and Barrister Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party (LP), who came a distant third in the race with 22,763 votes.
Following the declaration of results by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the PDP rejected the outcome of the election.
The party said it stands by the results obtained by its polling agents across the state.
In a statement by PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the PDP claimed that Ighodalo “won” the election but was allegedly rigged out by the APC.
The statement reads in part: “As Governor Fintiri presented, the results collated from the polling units have Asue Ighodalo in clear lead before the state collation exercise was hijacked by the APC, which in connivance with some unscrupulous INEC and security officials, engaged in blatant alteration and substitution of the genuine results with fabricated figures in favour of the defeated APC candidate.
“The PDP in the strongest terms, cautions the APC and INEC not to announce or declare any result that does not reflect the will of the people as expressed at the polling units. Such will be a recipe for a huge crisis in the state, as the people of Edo State will never allow their mandate in illegitimate hands.
“Our party again cautions INEC not to lose sight of the violent protest that trailed the criminal attempt by the former Adamawa State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mallam Hudu Ari, to alter the outcome of the 2023 governorship election in that state, which nearly led to the death of some INEC officials.
“Any attempt to change the results of the Edo State governorship election and allocate victory to a defeated candidate will provoke worse consequences. INEC must, therefore, do that which is right in the interest of peace, stability and sustenance of Democracy in Nigeria.”
In a swift reaction, the APC dismissed the allegations as tissues of lies and fabrication.
The national chairman of the party, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje while congratulating Senator Okpebholo on his well-deserved victory at the governorship election said the victory is a testament to the confidence reposed in Okpebholo by the people of Edo state.
Ganduje, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary Edwin Olofu, said the triumph is a testament to the confidence of the good people of Edo state, rejecting allegations of rigging.
He added that Okpebholo’s victory reflects the trust and hope placed in his leadership, as well as the hard work and resilience of other party members and supporters who ensured a free, fair, and peaceful election.
Ganduje expressed confidence that with Senator Okpebholo’s leadership, Edo state is poised to witness unprecedented growth, peace, and development that will transform the lives of its citizens.
The statement reads in part: “He asserted that his victory reflects the trust and hope placed in his leadership, as well as the hard work and resilience of other party members and supporters who ensured a free, fair, and peaceful election.
“Ganduje expressed confidence that with Senator Okpebholo’s leadership, Edo State is poised to witness unprecedented growth, peace, and development that will transform the lives of its citizens.
“He promised that Okpebholo will continue to uphold the values of good governance, transparency, and service to the people which have been the bedrock of the APC’s vision for Nigeria.”
