The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to firmly reject any attempts by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to introduce unaccredited Polling and Collation Agents for the upcoming September 21, 2024, Edo State Governorship election.
This request follows the APC’s failure to meet the deadline set by the Electoral Act, 2022, and INEC’s guidelines for submitting the required information for their agents.
In a statement issued on Friday, PDP National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba claimed that the APC’s failure to upload the necessary bio-data for their agents was a deliberate attempt to create confusion. He warned that the APC might try to smuggle in thugs disguised as agents to disrupt the election, knowing they have little chance of winning.
Ologunagba further alleged that the APC fraudulently uploaded irrelevant images, such as emojis and non-human photos, as placeholders, intending to replace them with thugs from other states on election day. He contrasted this with the PDP candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, who has been actively campaigning and engaging with the electorate, while the APC remains disconnected from the public and focused on manipulation.
The PDP also noted that many credible citizens, especially youths, have refused to serve as agents for the APC due to widespread rejection of the party and its candidate.
The party urged INEC and security agencies to uphold the integrity of the election by strictly enforcing the Electoral Act and guidelines and preventing any attempt by the APC to introduce unauthorized individuals as agents.
The statement reads in part, “This further confirms PDP’s position that the APC and its lackluster candidate, Monday Okpebholo have never been prepared for any democratic contest in the Edo State Governorship election but only waiting to manipulate the election against the Will of the people of Edo State.
“Unlike the PDP candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo who has been vigorously campaigning and engaging the people, the APC and its candidate remain completely disconnected from the electorate, the public, the media and resort only to lies, falsehood, propaganda and desperation to manipulate.
“No wonder credible citizens of Edo State, especially the youths spurned offers to serve as Polling and Collation Agents for the APC, given the widespread rejection of the APC and its candidate ahead of the election.
“The PDP therefore calls on INEC and the security agencies to ensure the credibility of the September 21, 2024 Edo State governorship election by resisting the pressure by APC leaders to violate the Electoral Act, 2022 and INEC Guidelines by allowing the APC to smuggle in thugs and unaccredited individuals as Polling Agents.
“Our Party insists that a strict compliance and implementation of the Electoral Act, 2022 and INEC Guidelines remains the assurance for a free, fair, transparent and credible election which is the only guarantee that the Will of the people as expressed in elections will prevail.
“The PDP commends the people of Edo State for their overwhelming support for our Party and Candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo while urging them to remain vigilant and alert in resisting the shenanigans of the APC,” the party said.