The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has formally filed a petition challenging the results of the governorship election held on September 21, 2024. The state chairman, Tony Aziegbemi, announced this at a press conference in Benin, highlighting the party’s success in meeting the deadlines for the appeal despite various obstacles. The election resulted in Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) winning with 291,667 votes against PDP’s Ighodalo Asue Ighodalo, who received 247,274 votes. Other candidates, including Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party, trailed behind. Amidst accusations of electoral malpractice from the PDP, the APC has derided the party’s attempt to contest the results, claiming that the PDP lacks a legitimate mandate.
Following the announcement of the election outcome, the PDP contended that there were significant irregularities in the voting process and the results declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). In a show of dissatisfaction, PDP members gathered at their secretariat amid allegations of tampering with election materials. Aziegbemi assured party supporters of their intent to reclaim what they called their “stolen mandate” and urged the public to remain hopeful about winning the legal battle ahead. He criticized INEC’s perceived partiality towards the APC and claimed that arbitrary arrests of PDP members have escalated post-election, suggesting a pattern of persecution by the police under perceived APC influence.
In response to the PDP’s claims, the APC’s Publicity Secretary, Peter Uwadiae-Igbinigie, asserted that the PDP does not possess any legitimate mandate that could be described as stolen. He contended that the electoral authority, INEC, conclusively declared the APC as victors, emphasizing that discussions of stolen elections are unfounded when viewed against the official results. The APC insisted on allowing the electoral tribunal to fulfill its duties without interference from the PDP and argued that the party should refrain from passing judgment on matters currently before the court.
The APC reached out to its supporters by establishing a transition committee, under the leadership of former Deputy Governor Pius Odubu. The committee comprises several prominent members, including Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, and is aimed at facilitating a smooth transition within the state’s governance following their electoral success. This organizational move was publicly communicated by the acting APC chairman, Jarrett Tenebe, reinforcing the party’s preparedness to assume governing responsibilities.
Meanwhile, a pro-democracy organization has called on the PDP and its candidate, Ighodalo, to respect the electoral outcome and cease its confrontational stance against national institutions. Patrick Osaigbovo, the Executive Director of the Initiative for Democratic Advancement and Free Speech, criticized the PDP for resorting to attacks on the electoral system and the judiciary. He claimed that the party’s actions could be traced back to an ineffective campaign strategy that lost popular support prior to the election. Osaigbovo accused the PDP of prematurely announcing results from its “Situation Room,” which he suggested was an attempt to manipulate the electoral narrative and provoke unrest.
In defense of the PDP’s conduct, Olu Martins, the Deputy Director-General of Media for the PDP Campaign Council, rejected Osaigbovo’s assertions and refuted claims of the party sponsoring biased election observers. He emphasized that the election observers reported on the integrity of the electoral process, contradicting claims of widespread electoral manipulation as portrayed by opposing factions. Martins underscored the need for an improved electoral framework while maintaining that the observers acknowledged fair conduct across various polling units. The exchange of accusations and increasingly fraught allegations illustrates the heightened tensions in Edo State’s political landscape following the controversial election outcome.
