The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced it will provide electoral materials to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) today for the upcoming Edo State governorship election scheduled for September 21. This announcement was made by Dr. Augbum Onuoha, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Edo State, amid ongoing complaints from the PDP regarding delays.
The PDP, represented by its National Publicity Secretary, recently alleged that INEC officials were intentionally withholding electoral materials to manipulate the election results. In response, the REC reassured that the PDP would have access to these materials today.
Edo State’s Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Osa Nehikhare, accused INEC of employing delays in collaboration with the All Progressives Congress (APC) to hinder the PDP’s ability to contest the election results. The APC was declared victorious in the recent gubernatorial election, with their candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, receiving 291,667 votes against PDP’s Asue Ighodalo, who garnered 247,274 votes. In light of alleged electoral manipulation, the PDP has vowed to challenge the results in court, having secured a court order for access to the electoral materials.
Despite this court order, the PDP’s legal team was reportedly denied access to the electoral materials during a visit to the INEC headquarters. In a related development, the women’s wing of the Edo PDP staged a protest demanding the return of Ighodalo’s allegedly stolen mandate, donning black attire and displaying placards as they voiced their grievances.
Speaking to journalists, a spokesperson for the protesting women expressed deep dissatisfaction with the election process, stressing their determination to reclaim their alleged mandate through continued demonstrations.
In response, the APC’s Director of Publicity dismissed the PDP’s allegations, asserting that the party was misrepresenting the situation to undermine the legitimacy of the election results. The APC underscored that the election has concluded and urged the public to disregard the PDP’s claims.
As tensions rise in Edo State ahead of the court proceedings, all eyes remain on the unfolding events surrounding the disputed governorship election results.
