The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has officially announced its rejection of the results from the recent Edo gubernatorial election, affirming their intention to reclaim their mandate through all available legal avenues. This statement highlights the party's commitment to addressing what they perceive as injustices in the electoral process.
According to reports from GistReel, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the Saturday election, which has sparked significant controversy.
In a response delivered in Abuja on Monday, the PDP's acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, emphasized that the party is resolute in its determination to retrieve their mandate using every legal method available within a democratic framework. He asserted that despite facing intimidation and alleged manipulations, the results from the polling units indicated that the PDP candidate, Asue Ighodalo, was the clear winner before any alleged alterations took place.[/p>
Damagum stated, “The PDP therefore unequivocally rejects the final result of the Edo governorship election as declared by INEC.” He further expressed that the election failed to meet the essential standards of democracy, claiming it did not reflect the true will and aspirations of the people, as mandated by the Electoral Act, 2022, and INEC guidelines for state governorship elections.[/p>
He urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to review the Edo gubernatorial election results in accordance with Section 65 of the Electoral Act, 2022, and to ensure that results are announced solely based on genuine votes cast at the polling units (PUs).[/p>
Damagum called upon all Nigerians and advocates of democracy worldwide to unite in solidarity with the people of Edo in rejecting what he described as an assault on their democratic rights. He asserted, “The people of Edo clearly chose Asue Ighodalo as the next Governor of their state and only their will, as expressed at the PUs, must be allowed to stand.”[/p>
He encouraged the citizens of Edo to remain steadfast and undeterred as the PDP takes decisive action to reclaim their mandate through legal means. Damagum pointed out that ongoing political events, particularly allegations of rigging in the recent election by the APC, indicate a concerning threat to Nigeria's democracy.[/p>
Damagum accused the APC of colluding with unpatriotic security operatives and INEC officials to compromise the integrity of the state election, disregarding both legal standards and the will of the people. He recalled previous warnings from the PDP about a perceived plot to undermine the election process.[/p>
The chairman further noted that the PDP had repeatedly requested the redeployment of certain officials and the release of arrested party members and supporters, but these appeals went unanswered, reinforcing their suspicion of a coordinated effort to rig the Edo State governorship election.[/p>
Damagum asserted that the PDP intends to test the judiciary's preparedness to deliver justice in this matter. He concluded by stating, “So we cannot overrule a situation whereby justice will be dispensed, but the most important thing is that we shall put them to more scrutiny before the eyes of Nigerians.” He added, “It is said that when the judicial system does not work, then you don’t have a country.”[/p>