The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed that it will provide electoral materials to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) today (Wednesday) for the September 21 Edo State governorship election. This follows the PDP’s complaints that INEC had delayed access to these materials, raising concerns about potential tampering.
INEC’s Edo State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Augbum Onuoha, addressed the issue in response to accusations from PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, who claimed that the delay was intentional to hide alleged vote rigging. Onuoha assured that the PDP would have access to the materials today, as per a court order.
Edo’s Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Osa Nehikhare, also accused INEC and the All Progressives Congress (APC) of colluding to obstruct the PDP’s challenge of the election results. The APC’s candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, was declared the winner with 291,667 votes, defeating PDP’s Asue Ighodalo, who secured 247,274 votes.
The PDP has vowed to contest the outcome in court, and their legal team has been attempting to inspect key election materials, including the BVAS machine and voter registers. Meanwhile, a group of PDP women staged a protest, demanding the return of what they called their “stolen mandate.”
The APC denied any wrongdoing, with their spokesperson stating that the party is merely protecting its legitimate victory and dismissing the PDP’s claims as false and misleading. The matter is now expected to proceed through legal channels.
