Toba Owojaiye reporting
Benin City, Edo State
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has issued a sharp rebuke of the results from the September 21, 2024 Edo State governorship election, alleging that the All Progressives Congress (APC) engaged in widespread rigging, in collusion with state security agencies and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
In a passionate press conference held on September 23, 2024, made available to Truth Live News and other reputable media houses, the Acting National Chairman of the PDP, Amb. Umar Iliya Damagum, decried what he described as a “brazen rigging” of the election and warned that Nigeria’s democracy was “under threat” due to these actions.
Addressing members of the media, Damagum stated, “It is with deep sense of burden and serious concern for our democracy and political stability of our dear nation that I address you today. From unfolding political events in the country, the latest being the brazen rigging of the Saturday, September 21, 2024 Edo State Governorship election by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in connivance with government-controlled agencies, it is clear that our democracy is under threat.”
The PDP leader went on to outline how the party had previously raised concerns over a “sinister plot” by the APC to subvert the election, accusing senior security officials and electoral personnel of aiding the alleged electoral manipulation. According to Damagum, these concerns were ignored despite repeated warnings.
“You may recall that the PDP had on several occasions alerted of this sinister plot by the APC to subvert the election, the roles allegedly being played by AIG Zone 7, Benneth Igwe and Edo State Commissioner of Police CP Nemo Edwin-Iwo and the appointment of a known APC apologist and supporter, Dr. Anugbum Onuoha, as the Edo State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC),” Damagum said. He further added that despite PDP’s demands for the removal of these officials and the release of detained PDP members, no action was taken.
The election, which saw APC’s Monday Okpebholo declared as the winner over PDP’s Dr. Asue Ighodalo, was reportedly marred by violence and voter intimidation. Damagum accused APC-backed thugs and security operatives of harassing and detaining PDP supporters while facilitating electoral malpractices.
“Nigerians and the world watched in horror as the APC-compromised security operatives and thugs unleashed terror, harass, arrest and detain PDP members and supporters, foisted siege mentality on the people and paved the way for APC agents and procured INEC officials to manipulate the ballot process,” he asserted.
According to the PDP, their candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, had clearly won the election based on results from polling units before the figures were allegedly altered at the state collation center in favor of the APC candidate. Damagum stated, “Results obtained from the Polling Units show that our candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo clearly won the election before the figures were altered at the State collation exercise in favour of the defeated APC candidate.”
The PDP has outrightly rejected the outcome as declared by INEC, claiming it did not meet the standards outlined in the Electoral Act, 2022. In his concluding remarks, Damagum demanded that INEC review the results within the stipulated time and declare the actual winner based on genuine votes cast.
“The PDP therefore unequivocally rejects the final result of the Edo State Governorship election as declared by INEC as it did not meet the minimum standard for democracy, having not reflected the expressed will and aspiration of the people in line with provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022, and INEC Guidelines for State Governorship elections,” Damagum declared.
In a rallying call, he urged Nigerians and the global community to stand with the people of Edo State in resisting what he described as an “assault on the democratic rights of the people” and reassured PDP supporters that the party would use all legal avenues to challenge the outcome.
“The people of Edo State clearly chose Dr. Asue Ighodalo as the next Governor of their State, and only their will as expressed at the Polling Units must be allowed to stand. The PDP charges the people of Edo State to remain resolute and undeterred as our Party takes sure and firm steps to retrieve the mandate with every means legal and available in a democracy,” Damagum concluded.
With tensions running high, all eyes will now be on INEC and the judiciary to see how the situation in Edo State unfolds.