On Wednesday, leaders and members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State took to the streets of Benin to protest the results of the September 21 governorship election. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Senator Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) the winner, with a total of 291,667 votes, while PDP candidate Asue Ighodalo received 247,274 votes. The PDP rejected the election results, claiming widespread manipulation and irregularities that invalidated the true outcome of the vote.
Bearing banners with messages such as “INEC sack Edo REC” and “INEC give us our mandate,” the protesters advanced towards the INEC office but were met with a heavy security presence aimed at controlling the situation. As protests continued, chants calling for political figures like former APC National Chairman Adams Oshiomhole and President Bola Tinubu to return their “mandate” echoed through the streets. The APC, represented by Publicity Secretary Peter Uwadiae-Igbinigie, dismissed the protests as ineffective, asserting that the election’s results could only be challenged in court through proper legal channels.
The protest saw key PDP figures, including the state chapter chairman Tony Aziegbemi and campaign officials, leading the demonstrators. Aziegbemi addressed the crowd, insisting that Ighodalo rightfully won the election and that the results had been tampered with in several local government areas. He emphasized the party’s commitment to reclaiming their “stolen” mandate and called for judicial responsiveness to their claims. He declared that if the election had been conducted fairly, they would have accepted the results but believed that they had substantial evidence to support their case in court.
In expressing determination, Aziegbemi noted that the PDP would engage the judicial system to unveil what they consider clear proof of electoral fraud favoring the APC. He urged the judiciary to be honest and transparent in their verdict, asserting that the tribunal would ultimately recognize the PDP’s victory. He reiterated the party’s peaceful stance and commitment to violence-free protests, highlighting the organic nature of the demonstration as a show of solidarity and collective grievance.
Similarly, Mathew Iduoriyekewen, the Director General of the Asue/Ogie Campaign Management Council, echoed Aziegbemi’s sentiments, vowing that the protests would persist until Ighodalo was acknowledged as the rightful winner. The joint emphasis on returning their perceived mandate underscored their communal frustration and determination for justice in the political process within the state.
In responding to the PDP’s allegations and actions, Uwadiae-Igbinigie challenged the party, urging them to substantiate their claims with credible evidence before the tribunal. His comments underscored the APC’s confidence in the election outcome and suggested that the political climate in Edo remains polarized, with both parties firmly entrenched in their positions. The aftermath of the protests illustrates ongoing tensions in Edo State politics over electoral integrity and the accountability of the electoral commission, as the PDP seeks to leverage judicial intervention to challenge the announced results.
