Edo Governorship Election Results Spark Controversy Over Allegations of Rigging
The recent governorship election in Edo State has ignited a significant uproar, particularly from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which is contesting the results that declared All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate Senator Monday Okpebholo as the new governor. The PDP claims that rigging took place during the election, undermining the integrity of the electoral process.
Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, who heads the National Campaign Council for the Edo State Governorship Election, publicly accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of violating the Electoral Act. He stated that INEC should be held accountable for any actions that compromise the electoral process.
In the official results, Okpebholo received 291,667 votes, defeating his closest rival, the PDP’s Asue Ighodalo, who garnered 247,274 votes, while Labour Party’s Olumide Akpata came in third with only 22,763 votes. The APC won in 10 out of the 18 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the state, while the PDP secured eight. However, the PDP insisted that Ighodalo “clearly won the election,” suggesting that the results were manipulated to favor the APC.
In a statement released on Sunday, PDP National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba explained that the party’s results, as reported by their polling agents, indicated that Ighodalo was in a commanding lead before the collation process was allegedly hijacked by the APC. The PDP accused the APC of engaging in blatant electoral manipulation, colluding with some INEC and security officials to alter and substitute the legitimate results with fabricated figures that favored their candidate.
The PDP Governors Forum, led by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, emphasized the need for INEC to act as an impartial umpire. They urged the commission to ensure that the results reflect the true wishes of the Edo people as expressed at the polls. They highlighted the importance of upholding democracy in light of what they described as the APC’s “total state capture” under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. They warned that the ongoing economic and security crises in the country necessitate a transparent electoral process to avoid the destabilizing consequences of disputed results.
The PDP reiterated its commitment to democratic principles and the stability of Nigeria, stating that citizens deserve the chance to realize their dreams without the burden of electoral injustices. They aligned themselves with their governors in calling for the sanctity of the elections to be upheld.
At the collation center on Sunday, PDP state agent Iyoha Osaigbovo remarked that the figures attributed to the APC did not accurately reflect the voters’ intentions. He stated, “We do not accept this result as it is clear that the figures were allocated to the APC by INEC to aid their victory. This result, which does not represent the people’s wish, may come to haunt those presiding over the announcement.”
In contrast, Jarrett Tenebe, the acting APC chairman in the state, dismissed Osaigbovo’s claims, expressing satisfaction with the election outcome. He pointed out that Edo North, an area won by the APC, had historically been a stronghold for the party and that their base had solidified following Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu’s return to the APC.
Tenebe also responded to allegations regarding the malfunctioning of the Biometric Voter Authentication System (BVAS) during the election, urging the PDP to direct their grievances towards the collation and announcement of results instead of blaming the APC.
Meanwhile, PDP state chairman Tony Aziegbemi alleged that there had been significant alterations to the results and demanded a recount and reevaluation of the votes. In a letter titled “Protest Against Manufactured Vote Entries and Unjust Inflation of APC Votes,” Aziegbemi addressed the INEC chairman in Abuja, alleging that the commission had manipulated the results to favor the APC.
He detailed specific instances of alleged vote inflation in three LGAs: Akoko Edo, Egor, and Etsako West. The letter highlighted discrepancies between the actual results uploaded on INEC’s Result Viewing Portal and the figures declared by the Returning Officers. For example, in Akoko Edo, the APC was reported to have received 25,010 votes, while the official declaration showed 34,847 votes. For the PDP, actual votes were reported as 18,620 but were declared as 15,865. Similar discrepancies were noted in Egor and Etsako West.
The allegations of rigging and vote manipulation raised serious concerns about the integrity of the electoral process in Edo State. Aziegbemi argued that these irregularities represented a blatant attempt to subvert the will of the people and demanded accountability from INEC.
In response to the ongoing tensions, members of the Labour Party, through their Public Relations Officer Sam Uruopa, stated they were still assessing the election results. Uruopa expressed concern about the allegations of vote-buying that occurred on Election Day, which he said tarnished the credibility of the electoral process.
Protests erupted among PDP youth members who gathered at the INEC office to voice their dissatisfaction with the election results. They claimed the results had been tampered with and were inconsistent with the outcomes observed at the polling units. Although security forces restricted their protest to Ramat Park in the Ikpoba Hill area, the youths chanted songs of solidarity and waved leaves to express their discontent.
A senior PDP official indicated that the party is considering various options, including legal action, to contest the election results. The party chairman had already communicated with INEC, calling for a recount and reevaluation of the votes. The official remarked, “The idea of reclaiming our mandate in court is not a bad one, but we hope for a favorable reply from INEC. However, if nothing changes, we will consider other options, which may include legal action.”
Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki urged the public to remain calm and refrain from violence or property destruction following Okpebholo’s declaration as the winner. He acknowledged the rigorous campaigning undertaken by all political parties leading up to the election, underscoring the democratic principle of allowing citizens to choose their leaders. However, he lamented that the election’s outcome has left many Edo residents feeling disillusioned and powerless due to what they perceive as systemic injustices.
He stated, “The attractive thing about democracy is the power it bestows on the people to choose who governs them. Therefore, when this power is blatantly seized from the people, it is not just a tragedy, but a travesty of democracy.” Obaseki called on citizens to seek lawful resolutions to grievances rather than resorting to violence, insisting that peace and justice would ultimately prevail.
He further highlighted the alarming level of impunity and disregard for electoral processes displayed during the election, asserting that there are established mechanisms for addressing grievances in a democratic setting. The governor reassured Edo citizens of the government’s commitment to their welfare and security.
In a striking response, Senator Okpebholo, the newly elected governor, expressed gratitude to the people of Edo for their support and promised to emulate the achievements of former Akwa Ibom Governor Godswill Akpabio during his tenure. Speaking shortly after being declared the winner by INEC, he visited former Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s residence to celebrate with party leaders, including Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu.
Okpebholo stated, “God has decreed this victory for me, and I assure the people that I will not let them down.” Oshiomhole, in his remarks, emphasized that elections are about choice and the people’s power to determine their leaders. He praised Okpebholo for his community service and expressed confidence that his governance would restore Edo to a path of development following what he characterized as a disastrous eight years under Obaseki and Ighodalo.
Senator Akpabio added that Okpebholo’s victory signifies a turning point in Edo State’s political landscape. He pointed out that this election reflects the growing confidence Nigerians have in President Bola Tinubu’s administration and its efforts to enhance the nation’s fortunes.
President Bola Tinubu congratulated Okpebholo on his election victory, commending the efforts of the party’s national and state leaders. In a statement released by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu characterized the victory as a testament to the people’s support for the ruling party’s progressive ideals and economic policies.
Tinubu encouraged Okpebholo to approach his new role with humility and to prioritize unity among the people of Edo State. He urged all parties who feel wronged by the election outcome to pursue legal avenues for resolution. The president commended INEC and security agencies for their efforts in facilitating a peaceful and orderly election.
Former President Muhammadu Buhari also congratulated Okpebholo on his “historic electoral victory,” expressing hope that both the winning and losing parties would collaborate to strengthen democracy and maintain developmental progress in Edo State. He praised law enforcement for their roles in ensuring a peaceful election and highlighted the commitment of election officials to improving the electoral process with each successive election.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio reinforced the sentiment that the Edo election, despite its initial tensions, mirrors the confidence the public has in President Tinubu’s leadership.
The controversy surrounding the Edo State governorship election underscores the importance of transparency, integrity, and accountability in the electoral process. The allegations of rigging and manipulation, if left unaddressed, could have lasting repercussions for the political landscape in Edo and beyond. As various parties consider their next steps, the hope remains that a peaceful resolution can be achieved that honors the democratic process and reflects the true will of the people.