The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) announced on Sunday that Asue Ighodalo, their nominee for governor of 2024, has won. This declaration comes after an intense and highly competitive election in Edo State, where the political atmosphere has been charged with anticipation and tension. The PDP, through its officials and representatives, has confidently asserted that Ighodalo secured a clear victory, reflecting the genuine will of the people as expressed at the polling units across the state. The party has been vocal in its determination to protect this mandate, emphasizing the importance of upholding the integrity of the electoral process.
The PDP candidate, Asue Ighodalo, was declared the winner of the Edo State governorship election by the party, according to a statement released by Debo Ologunagba, National Publicity Secretary of the party. Polling agents in the State also confirmed this conclusion. The party has made it clear that their position is based on data and reports from their agents at various polling stations, who witnessed firsthand the voting and counting process. This announcement has been met with mixed reactions, as the political landscape in Edo State remains polarized, with both major parties claiming victory in their own ways.
Ologunagba further stated that Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State, the Chairman of the Edo PDP National Campaign Council, had taken a similar stance and cautioned the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) against tampering with the results. Fintiri’s warning underscores the high stakes involved in this election and the potential consequences of any perceived manipulation. The PDP’s leadership has been vigilant in monitoring the situation, ready to challenge any actions they believe could undermine the credibility of the election.
The PDP accused the APC of trying to steal the mandate of its candidate. This accusation is a serious one, reflecting the deep mistrust between the two major political parties in Nigeria. The PDP has consistently expressed concerns about the fairness of the electoral process, particularly in regions where the APC holds significant influence. The party’s statement is a clear indication that they are prepared to contest any result they believe does not reflect the true will of the people. The allegations have added to the already charged atmosphere, with supporters on both sides eagerly awaiting the final results from INEC.
The party warned that any attempt to change the results of the Edo State governorship election and allocate victory to a defeated candidate would provoke dire consequences and may be a recipe for a huge crisis in Edo State. This warning is not just a rhetorical statement; it reflects the intense emotions and high stakes surrounding the election. The PDP has made it clear that they are ready to mobilize their supporters to resist any attempt to alter the outcome of the election. The potential for unrest looms large, as both parties brace for the final announcement from INEC, which will either confirm or challenge the PDP’s claims of victory.
Recall that Fintiri had leveled serious allegations against INEC regarding the Edo election. These allegations include claims of bias and improper conduct by election officials, particularly in the collation of results. Fintiri’s accusations have further fueled the tension, as the PDP demands transparency and accountability from the electoral commission. The party has called for a thorough review of the entire process to ensure that the final results truly reflect the will of the voters. Fintiri’s involvement in the campaign has added a significant weight to the PDP’s position, given his experience and stature in Nigerian politics.
Speaking at a press conference in Benin on Sunday, Fintiri, accused INEC of bias, claiming that agents of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were denied access to the INEC office before the collation process. This claim has raised serious concerns about the transparency of the electoral process. Fintiri’s statements suggest that there may have been attempts to exclude PDP representatives from critical stages of the election process, which could have influenced the outcome in favor of the APC. The PDP has called for an immediate investigation into these allegations, demanding that INEC provide a full account of the events that transpired during the collation of results.
The PDP, through its spokesperson, also declared total support for what Fintiri said. The party has rallied around Fintiri’s statements, using them as a basis for their own challenges to the election results. The PDP’s unified stance highlights the seriousness with which they are approaching this situation, signaling their readiness to take legal and political action to defend what they believe is a rightful victory for Ighodalo. The support for Fintiri’s position within the party is strong, with many seeing it as a crucial defense of democratic principles in the face of potential electoral malpractice.
According to Ologunagba, “The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stands by the results of the Edo State Governorship election as garnered by its polling agents across the State and echoed by the Chairman of the Edo PDP National Campaign Council, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State, which indicate that the PDP candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo clearly won the election.” Ologunagba’s statement is a reaffirmation of the party’s confidence in the data collected by their agents. The PDP is insisting that the results announced by INEC must reflect the true outcome of the votes as observed at the polling units. This stance is central to the party’s strategy moving forward, as they prepare to challenge any discrepancies that may arise in the official announcement.
“The PDP asserts that the rush, venom, and hauling of insults with which the All Progressives Congress (APC) attacked Governor Fintiri only confirms APC’s violent desperation to cover its manipulations and steal the mandate freely given to Dr. Asue Ighodalo by the people of Edo State as reflected in the genuine votes cast at the Polling Units.” The PDP’s narrative paints the APC as a party desperate to cling to power by any means necessary, even at the cost of undermining democratic processes. This accusation is part of a broader strategy to delegitimize any outcome that does not favor the PDP, framing it as the result of foul play rather than a legitimate electoral process.
“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 of some unscrupulous INEC and security officials, engaged in blatant alteration and substitution of the genuine results with fabricated figures in favor of the defeated APC candidate.” The PDP’s detailed allegations suggest that there was a deliberate effort to alter the outcome of the election during the collation process. The party’s narrative is that the initial results showed a clear victory for Ighodalo, but that these were tampered with by elements within INEC and security forces in favor of the APC candidate. This claim, if true, represents a serious breach of electoral integrity, and the PDP is using it to build a case for challenging the official results.
“The PDP had on several occasions alerted Nigerians of this sinister plot by the APC which will be firmly resisted as the APC and its candidate Monday Okpebholo were thoroughly defeated in the election.” The PDP’s warnings to the public are part of their strategy to prepare their supporters for potential legal battles or protests in the event that the official results do not align with their expectations. The party is framing the election as a clear defeat for the APC, setting the stage for a broader conflict if the results are not announced in their favor.
“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.” This statement is a direct warning to both INEC and the APC, highlighting the potential for significant unrest if the final results do not reflect what the PDP believes to be the true outcome of the election. The party is positioning itself as the defender of the people’s will, ready to take action against any attempt to subvert the democratic process.
“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.” The PDP is invoking past incidents to remind INEC of the potential dangers of tampering with election results. By referencing the 2023 incident in Adamawa State, the PDP is drawing parallels between that situation and the current one in Edo State, suggesting that any similar attempt to alter results could lead to violence and instability.
“Any attempt to change the results of the Edo State governorship election and allocate victory to a defeated candidate will provoke worse consequences.” The PDP’s final warning