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PDP Refuses to Accept Edo Election Outcome, Takes Legal Action

Esther

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has officially rejected the results of the Edo State Governorship election announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).


The election, held on September 21, 2024, saw Senator Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) declared the winner with 291,667 votes. The PDP's candidate, Asue Ighodalo, garnered 247,274 votes, while Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party received 22,763 votes.


During a press conference in Abuja on September 23, 2024, PDP acting National Chairman Umar Damagum called on Nigerians to support the party’s rejection of the election results.


He stated, "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 Election."


Damagum alleged that the election was marred by rigging, vote-buying, and manipulation of results in favor of the APC. He accused INEC officials and security operatives of colluding with the APC to alter genuine results from polling units. "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," he added.


Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State, who chaired the PDP campaign council for the election, echoed these sentiments. He described the election as "yet another attack on the country’s democratic process" and criticized the conduct of the APC on election day. Fintiri pointed to instances of vote-buying, disruption of collation processes, and questionable results that exceeded the number of accredited voters in some areas.


The PDP has vowed to challenge the results in court, urging INEC to review the election within the time stipulated by Section 65 of the Electoral Act, 2022. Damagum emphasized, "The PDP calls on all Nigerians and lovers of Democracy all over the world to stand up in solidarity with the people of Edo State in rejecting this assault on the democratic rights of the people as witnessed in the Edo State Governorship election."


In response to the allegations, the APC has maintained that the election was free and fair, dismissing the PDP's claims as baseless. However, the controversy surrounding the election has raised major concerns about the integrity of Nigeria's democratic process.





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