In a highly contentious outcome, the Edo State governorship election held on September 23, 2024, has resulted in the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, being declared the winner. This announcement has sparked significant backlash from the opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which claims that the election was marred by irregularities and manipulation.
The results, as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), showed Okpebholo securing 291,667 votes, defeating his closest rival, the PDP’s Dr. Asue Ighodalo, who garnered 247,274 votes. The Labour Party’s Olumide Akpata came in third with 22,763 votes. Out of the state’s 18 local government areas, the APC won in 10, while the PDP managed to secure 8.
Following the announcement, Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, who also chairs the Edo State Governorship Election National Campaign Council, accused INEC of failing to adhere to the Electoral Act. He called for accountability, asserting that the commission’s actions contributed to the alleged rigging of the election results. In a statement, Fintiri emphasized that the PDP stood by the results reported by its polling agents, which indicated Ighodalo had achieved a clear victory.
The PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, echoed these sentiments, asserting, “The PDP clearly won the election, and the rush of insults directed at Governor Fintiri only underscores the APC’s desperate attempts to cover up its manipulations.” He accused the APC of hijacking the results from the polling units and substituting them with fabricated figures to favor Okpebholo.
In response to the accusations, members of the PDP Governors Forum, led by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, expressed their concerns over INEC’s role as an impartial arbiter in the electoral process. They urged the commission to announce results that accurately reflect the will of the Edo people, emphasizing the need for integrity, especially given the current political climate.
At the collation center, Iyoha Osaigbovo, the PDP’s state agent, vehemently rejected the announced results, claiming they did not represent the voters’ true intentions. He stated, “The figures were allocated to the APC by INEC to aid their victory, and we do not accept this result.” Osaigbovo’s comments highlight the deep mistrust that the PDP has towards the electoral process in Edo State.
Conversely, Jarrett Tenebe, the acting chairman of the APC in Edo State, dismissed Osaigbovo’s claims, asserting that the electoral process had been fair. He defended the election results, emphasizing that Edo North has always been a stronghold for the APC and that the party’s victories were legitimate.
The state chairman of the PDP, Tony Aziegbemi, also raised allegations of result manipulation in a letter to INEC, demanding a re-collation of the votes. He detailed discrepancies in the results from several local government areas, including Akoko Edo, Egor, and Etsako West, claiming that the figures announced by INEC were inflated in favor of the APC while reducing the PDP’s tally.
As the situation unfolded, some youths affiliated with the PDP staged protests outside INEC’s office, alleging that the official results were tampered with. Although security forces restricted their protests to Ramat Park in Ikpoba Hill, demonstrators expressed their frustration through songs and symbolic gestures, signaling their discontent with the electoral process.
In light of the allegations and protests, a senior official within the PDP indicated that the party would explore legal avenues to contest the election results, emphasizing the importance of reclaiming their mandate. They expressed hope for a favorable response from INEC regarding their demands for a recount and a thorough review of the election results.
Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki urged residents to remain calm and refrain from violence following the announcement of Okpebholo’s victory. He emphasized the importance of peaceful resolution in a democratic society, highlighting the need for citizens to maintain their lawful activities despite their grievances.
In his first address as Governor-elect, Okpebholo expressed gratitude to the people of Edo State for their support and promised to replicate the successful governance strategies of former Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio. He reiterated the commitment to serving the state and addressing the needs of its citizens.
The political landscape in Edo State remains tense as the PDP continues to contest the legitimacy of the election results, while the APC celebrates its victory. The situation underscores the ongoing challenges facing Nigeria’s democratic processes and the importance of transparent and credible elections in the country. As reactions unfold from both sides, the need for dialogue and reconciliation becomes increasingly critical to maintaining political stability in the region.
