Toba Owojaiye reportingÂ
Benin City, Edo State
The controversy surrounding the September 21, 2024, Edo State gubernatorial election deepened as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Nigeria Police Force of obstructing their efforts to inspect the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines used during the election. This defiance comes in spite of a court order granting the PDP access to the machines for an audit of the voting process.
Truth Live News can confirm that reports of widespread manipulation of results have marred the election outcome, which saw the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declare APC’s Senator Monday Okpebholo the winner with 291,667 votes. PDP’s candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, who garnered 247,274 votes, rejected the results, alleging electoral fraud and irregularities, including tampering with BVAS data.
In a statement issued by the Team Asue Media Organisation (TAMO), Erhabor Emokpae expressed deep concern over what he described as a “blatant manipulation” of the electoral process to favour the APC, accusing law enforcement agencies of complicity. “The blatant manipulation of the electoral process to favour the APC over the clear will of the electorate demonstrates a flagrant disregard for democratic principles,” TAMO stated.
Despite obtaining a court order to inspect the BVAS machines, the PDP claims that thugs aligned with the APC, supported by police officers, have repeatedly thwarted their attempts to access the crucial voting data. This has raised serious concerns over the impartiality of the police in upholding the law and ensuring transparency in the electoral process.
“This coordinated effort to obstruct the PDP’s legitimate inspection of the electoral process reveals a troubling alliance between political power and law enforcement, aimed at compromising the integrity of our democracy,” TAMO added.
PDP’s acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, has also voiced his rejection of the election results, stating that the PDP will challenge the outcome in court. He accused APC of using intimidation, violence, and electoral fraud to undermine the democratic process. “Nigerians and the world watched in horror as the APC-compromised security operatives and thugs unleashed terror, harassed, arrested, and detained PDP members and supporters,” Damagum remarked.
The statement highlighted that such actions threaten not only the fairness of elections but also the rule of law