The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected the outcome of Saturday’s governorship election in Edo State, which saw the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, declared as the winner. Okpebholo secured 291,667 votes, defeating the PDP’s candidate, Asue Ighodalo, who garnered 247,274 votes, and Labour Party’s Olumide Akpata, who received 22,763 votes.
Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State, Chairman of the Edo State Governorship Election National Campaign Council for the PDP, expressed concerns on Sunday, accusing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of violating the Electoral Act. He called for INEC to be held accountable for what the PDP described as blatant manipulation of the results.
In a statement released by the PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the party stood by the polling unit results gathered by its agents, which it claimed showed Ighodalo in the lead. The party accused INEC officials of colluding with the APC to alter the results during collation, citing irregularities in three local government areas: Akoko Edo, Egor, and Etsako West.
The PDP Governors Forum, led by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, echoed these concerns, urging INEC to announce results that reflect the true will of Edo voters.
Amidst the controversy, Edo youths staged protests against the results at the INEC office, while PDP leaders indicated that they may pursue legal action if their grievances are not addressed.
In contrast, APC leaders celebrated Okpebholo’s victory, with former Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole and Senate President Godswill Akpabio attributing the win to the people’s choice. President Bola Tinubu and former President Muhammadu Buhari also congratulated Okpebholo on his election, calling for unity and urging aggrieved parties to seek legal redress.
