Edo: We’ll meet APC, INEC in court to retrieve mandate – PDP

Less than 24 hours after the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, declared Senator Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress, APC, as winner of Edo State governorship election, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has vowed go to court to retrieve its “stolen mandate.”

The position of PDP came on a day one of the civil society groups that monitored the election, Yiaga Africa, said the election failed integrity test, just as the Centre for Democracy and Development, CDD, asked INEC to review its IReV uploads amid discrepancies.

PDP acting National Chairman, Amb. Umar Damagum, announced the party’s position at a briefing in Abuja, charging Edo people “to remain resolute and undeterred as our party takes sure and firm steps to retrieve the mandate with every means legal and available in a democracy.”

The PDP stance came as Labour Party, LP, candidate, Mr. Olumide Akpata, who dismissed Saturday’s poll as a transaction and democratic sacrilege by the APC and PDP, said he has submitted the results to lawyers for forensic analysis, which would inform his next step.

INEC had on Sunday night, returned Okpebholo as governor-elect after polling 291,667 votes, against Dr Asue Ighodalo of the PDP’s 247,566 votes and Akpata’s 22,763 votes.

On a day Okpebholo got tons of greetings on his victory from the Federal Executive Council, FEC; governors and some stakeholders, the PDP said it would once again test “the level of the preparedness of the judiciary to do justice where it is required.”

Similarly, the presidential candidate of LP in the 2023 election, Mr Peter Obi, said what transpired in Edo was state capture, not election, with Yiaga Africa saying the exercise failed integrity test.

Also, the Centre for Democracy and Development West Africa, CDD, urged INEC to review uploads on its Result Viewing Portal, IreV, due to discrepancies in the governorship election results.

The advice came on the heels of observers reporting issues such as blurred results, over-voting, and upload discrepancies, especially in Ovia North-East, Esan West, Ikpoba/Okha, Orhionmwon and Uhunmwonde local government areas.

Why we’ll go to court – PDP
Damagum, who said the PDP expected the judiciary to ensure justice in the matter, said: “We cannot overrule a situation where justice will be dispensed but the most important thing is that we shall put them to more scrutiny before the eyes of Nigerians because they say when the judicial system does not work, then you don’t have a country. I don’t know if we will still have a country.”

He said, “From unfolding political events in the country, the latest being the brazen rigging of Saturday, September 21, 2024, Edo State governorship election by the All Progressives Congress, APC, in connivance with government-controlled agencies, it is clear that our democracy is under threat.

“As you know and widely reported in all segments of the media, the 2024 Edo State governorship election was compromised in barefaced manner by the APC, in collusion with unpatriotic security operatives and heavily procured officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, who viciously trampled on the votes of the people in defiance of the law and total disregard to the sovereign will of the people of Edo State.

“You may recall that the PDP had on several occasions, alerted of this sinister plot by the APC to subvert the election, the roles allegedly being played by AIG Zone 7, Benneth Igwe and Edo State Commissioner of Police, CP Nemo Edwin-Iwo, and the appointment of a known APC apologist and supporter, Dr. Anugbum Onuoha, as Edo State Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC.

“Several demands by our party for the redeployment of these officials as well as the release of all arrested PDP members and supporters fell on deaf ears and tended to validate PDP’s suspicion of a top-level conspiracy to rig Edo State governorship election.

“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, foisted siege mentality on the people and paved the way for APC agents and procured INEC officials to manipulate the ballot process, substitute genuine results from the polling units with fictitious figures and transferred the victory clearly won by our candidate, Asue Ighodalo, to the defeated APC candidate, Monday Okpebholo.

“As Nigerians already know, despite the violence, intimidation and manipulations by the APC, results obtained from the polling units show that our candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, clearly won the election before the figures were altered at the state collation exercise in favour of the defeated APC candidate.

“The PDP, therefore, unequivocally rejects the final result of the 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.

“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 election.

“The people of Edo State clearly chose Dr. Asue Ighodalo as the next governor of their state and only their will as expressed at the polling units must be allowed to stand.”

APC, PDP turned poll to transaction — Akpata
Addressing a briefing in Benin City yesterday, Akpata on his part, declared that the outcome of the poll lacked integrity, adding that what transpired on September 21, 2024, was not an election but a transaction by the APC and PDP, enabled by those who chose to stay away. He said though the election was largely free from historical forms of election-day malpractice, such as ballot box snatching and stuffing, it was marred by voter intimidation and falsification of results.”Let us be clear, what transpired on September 21, 2024, was not an election but a transaction. It was enabled by those who chose to stay away, making it easier for the two dominant parties to afford a significant majority of the few votes on offer, and by those who came out and willingly sold their votes.’

More worrisome, Akpata said, was the fact that among those involved in the transactions were some LP faithful and agents who willingly sold their future for peanuts to the very political parties whose actions and policies have impoverished them.

He also picked holes in the unwitting institution of a collegiate system of government, comprising godfathers, surrogate governors, and other forces within and outside the state who hoped to puppet the governor-elect.

To Akpata, “a troubling theme emerged as the day unfolded — widespread vote-buying scheme by both the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples’ Democratic Party.

“As attested to by YIAGA Africa, a leading civil society organisation and domestic observer group, our sacred electoral process was reduced to a commodities market — a bidding war for votes.
‘’This practice, no less damaging than outright ballot stuffing, has effectively disenfranchised the people of Edo State.”

On whether he and his party will take legal action, Akpata said the results of the election had been submitted to lawyers for forensic analysis, with a view to making a determination on what to do next.

Asked if he would take an opportunity to serve in the National Assembly in 2027 as already being speculated, he said: “We went to talk to the people, God gave me the opportunity to see things for myself.

‘’I belong to a generation that is about service. We want to turn the story around, we want to change the narrative. By the time we re-organise this country, if it is local government they said I should run, I will because I am not about the position. When we are able to arrange this country, or in the course of re-arranging or re-organising this country, any task I am given, I will take.

“Like we say, if you are a manager, manage well; if you are a driver, drive well. If you are a director, direct well. If you are governor, govern well. If you are a senator, senate well. If you are a policeman, police well. That is how we are going to lead this country to the promised land.

‘’If I find myself in the National Assembly, all well. I didn’t get up to say it must be the governorship or nothing, I am owned by Nigeria, I am owned by Edo State, that is what propels me and I am worried about our state, our country. I am ready to serve in any capacity to make Nigeria a better place.”

Edo gov election failed integrity test — Yiaga Africa
Averring yesterday that the Edo election result failed integrity test, civil society group, Yiaga Africa, in a statement by its chair of the 2024 Edo Election Mission, Dr. Aisha Abdullahi, and its Executive Director, Samson Itodo, argued that the poll failed electoral integrity test due to the lack of transparency in the results collation process which, according to it, led to the manipulation of results.

It said: “While key processes such as accreditation, voting, counting, and recording of results at the polling unit substantially complied with procedures, the results collation process was compromised by the actions of some biased INEC officials, in connivance with other actors. This manipulation severely undermines the overall integrity of the election.”

The group said it reached this conclusion after it deployed the Process and Results Verification for Transparency, PRVT, methodology to observe the Edo State governorship election.

The method it said involved 300 stationary and 25 roving observers covering a representative sample of polling units across all 18 LGAs.

Inconsistencies in officially announced results
The group stated further: “The disparities between the official results released by INEC and Yiaga Africa’s PRVT estimates indicate manipulation of results during the collation process. ‘’Yiaga Africa strongly condemns the actions of some biased INEC officials who altered figures during collation, including the actions of some security officials who interfered with the collation process.

‘’Yiaga Africa notes that the cases of disruption in Ikpoba/Okha, Etsako West, Egor, and Oredo LGAs in the course of collation created opportunities for election manipulation, raising significant concerns about the credibility and integrity of the results collation process.”

Review IReV uploads, CDD urges INEC
While urging INEC to review uploads on its IreV portal due to discrepancies in the election results,
Professor Adele Jinadu, chairman of the Centre for Democracy and Development-Election Analysis Centre, CDD-EAC, stressed the need for quick investigation and prosecution of those involved in vote-buying.

He noted that the Edo State governorship election was mostly peaceful but marred by violence and technical glitches, with gunmen disrupting voting in Owan West, snatching a ballot box, and violence occurring in Ikoro community, Units 5 and 15 of Oghede Ward in Ovia North-East Local Government Area.

Jinadu also mentioned technical issues, with BVAS machines malfunctioning in some polling units and network problems affecting result uploads to the IReV portal, noting that in Esan North-East, Ward 4, Unit 4 Code 4, a BVAS issue was unresolved.

Despite these challenges, the CDD noted that the voting process was generally peaceful, with enthusiastic participation.

He noted also that voter turnout was low, ranging from 17% to 33% across the state, with Edo South recording the lowest at 17%.

The organization advised INEC to reassess its crisis communication strategy due to a noticeable slowdown in result uploads and disruptions in the collation process.

Jinadu said: “To ensure the integrity of the electoral process, collation of results is a fundamental aspect of the electoral process. Therefore, any controversy and/or loss of confidence in that regard should be resolved transparently and in a timely fashion before proceeding with final declarations.

“Additionally, INEC should carefully review uploads on iReV against the announced results and where there are discrepancies, take necessary remedial actions.

“Furthermore, INEC should publish the procedure for relocation of designated collation centres and other electoral facilities during an election.

“As the process transitions into the post-election phase, we urge all political stakeholders to continue upholding peace, respect the rule of law, and follow due process in resolving post-election disputes over the results of the elections.”

FEC, Oyebanji, Sanwo-Olu, Abiodun,Aiyedatiwa, Ododo, others greet Okpebholo
Reacting to the outcome of the election, the Federal Executive Council, FEC, at its meeting yesterday, expressed excitement over the victory of the APC.

The meeting, presided over by President Bola Tinubu, congratulated the people of Edo State, especially the APC family in the state, on their “fantastic outing” in the governorship election.

Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Senator George Akume, who expressed council’s feeling at the commencement of the meeting, also praised President Tinubu’s commitment to free and fair elections, stating that the APC’s huge victory, which had eluded the party for over eight years, was a testament to the President’s dedication to democracy.

“We want to use this opportunity to congratulate the people of Edo State, particularly the APC family.. The election has been adjudged to be free and fair and that is what Mr. President has always stood for.

‘’We want to thank you, Mr. President, for being committed to the electoral process and ethos of democracy.”

Edo people have spoken—Gov Oyebanji
On his part, Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Yinka Oyebode, hailed the residents of Edo State for reposing confidence in the APC and its Renewed Hope agenda.

Governor Oyebanji said: “Edo people have spoken clearly and loudly. Hearty congratulations to my brother, the governor- elect, Monday Okoebholo, and his deputy, Dennis Idahosa. The victory is also a vote of confidence in the leadership of President Bola Tinubu who has deepened our democracy. It is a victory for our party, APC, and, indeed, victory for democracy.”

It was a free, fair poll— Gov Abiodun
Also, Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State said the peaceful conduct of the election reaffirmed that Nigeria’s democracy was maturing and evolving.

Abiodun, in a congratulatory message to Okpebholo, the APC, and President Tinubu, conveyed by his Chief Press Secretary, Lekan Adeniran, said: “Such a commitment to democratic principles is a testament to INEC’s dedication to upholding the rule of law and fostering trust in the electoral system.

“This election not only reflects their wishes but also signifies a collective stride towards more vibrant and accountable governance.”

Edo back to progressive fold—Aiyedatiwa
Similarly, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan, said: “I want to congratulate our party, the APC, Senator Okpebholo and Mr Dennis Idahosa on the well deserved victory in the just concluded governorship election in Edo State.

“I join millions of our party faithful to give glory to God for granting us peaceful victory to reclaim Edo back into the fold of the progressives where it rightly belongs.”

Sanwo-Olu to Okpebholo: Make victory count for all Edo residents
On his part, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, charged Okpebholo to make his victory count for all the citizens and residents, irrespective of their political affiliations, social and ethnic backgrounds.

Sanwo-Olu, in a message by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Gboyega Akosile, said: “Okpebholo’s victory is well deserved and a clear manifestation that the All Progressives Congress remains the party of choice for Nigerians at the local, state and federal levels.

“The landslide victory of Senator Okpebholo and the ruling party showed that Edo people know what is right, and they have done what is right by sacking the PDP and voting for the APC.

‘’Senator Okpebholo’s victory is a clear indication that the people of Edo State want a breath of fresh air in the state, and I strongly believe, strongly, that the APC government will surpass their expectations.”

State capture, not election took place, says Obi
Also speaking on the election yesterday, Peter Obi in a post on his X handle, described what happened in Edo State over the weekend as a blatant example of state capture under the guise of an election.

The former Anambra State governor noted that any nation whose leadership recruitment process was fatally flawed, as was demonstrated during Edo polls, was doomed.

He said: “What happened over the weekend in the name of election in Edo State does not in any way represent the democratic process we chose as a method of electing our political leadership.

“Instead, it was a blatant example of ‘state capture’ and continued gross undermining of our democratic process and values.

“Any nation whose leadership recruitment process is so fatally flawed is doomed, and we are all seeing the effect in our country.

“I urge those in authority not to allow this situation to stand, or depend on it to remain in power.
“As a country, we have invested significantly in IReV and BVAS, and they must be allowed to function and used properly to free our electoral process from the massive falsification that has plagued it.

“To the agencies and individuals being used to undermine our democracy simply because they hold positions of authority, please remember that your time in office is not eternal.

“The society you are helping to destroy today will eventually take her revenge on you tomorrow. To the lecturers and others complicit in perpetuating this charade, you must reflect deeply on the roles you are playing in damaging the very foundation of our democracy.

“The damage you are causing today will inevitably take revenge on you tomorrow and affect your children in the future.

“This kind of action has no place in a true democracy. That is why I have always maintained that today’s politics is not about capturing power, but about saving the country and making it work for everyone, regardless of their background. I remain committed to building a new and truly democratic Nigeria, which I insist is very possible.”

I’m surprised Nigerians expect APC to lose the election—Momodu
Sharing his thoughts on the poll, a chieftain of the PDP and former presidential aspirant, Chief Dele Momodu, said he was not surprised at the outcome of the election.

Momodu, in a WhatsApp message to Vanguard, insisted that most of the principal state actors, both in APC and PDP, were involved in “gangsterism.”

Culled: Vanguard News