Hours after the conclusion of the Edo State governorship election, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State has rejected the results declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The election, held on Saturday, saw the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, emerge victorious with 291,667 votes, defeating PDP’s Dr. Asue Ighodalo, who garnered 247,274 votes, and Labour Party’s Olumide Akpata, who secured 22,763 votes.
In a statement issued on Monday by Ayo Fadaka, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity for the PDP Campaign Organisation in Ondo State, the party described the result as another "rape on democracy," claiming that it disregarded the will of the people as expressed through the ballot.
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The statement further accused INEC of violating electoral laws by shifting vote collation from the designated local government collation centres to its headquarters in Benin, Edo State's capital. "This is expressly against the electoral law," the statement read.
The PDP in Ondo also vowed to ensure fairness and transparency in their own upcoming governorship election scheduled for November 16, stating, “Ondo is not Edo." The party emphasized its resolve to protect votes and prevent any attempt to compromise the electoral process in Ondo State.
As the PDP in Ondo State prepares for their election, they have expressed deep dissatisfaction with the APC government, citing widespread hardship, inflation, and poverty imposed on the people, which they believe will influence the electorate to vote against the ruling party. The party concluded by warning against any attempts to tamper with votes in the upcoming poll.
