The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) faced substantial criticism from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors concerning the conduct of the Edo State governorship election held on September 21, 2024. The election concluded with the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Monday Okpebholo, emerging victorious with 291,667 votes, while PDP’s Dr. Asue Ighodalo garnered 247,274 votes, and Labour Party’s Olumide Akpata followed with 22,761 votes. The PDP governors, meeting in Jos, Plateau State, expressed their firm belief that irregularities in the election had deprived their candidate of a legitimate victory. They alleged that INEC manipulated the election outcomes to favor the APC and urged the judiciary and lawmakers to implement stronger electoral laws to prevent future tampering, which they termed as an assault on democracy.
In a communique issued by the PDP Governors Forum, the members underscored their concerns about alleged corruption and vote-buying in both Edo and Ondo governorship elections. They contended that there had been a “rape of democracy,” emphasizing that many lawful votes cast were “won” by their candidate, Ighodalo. Calling for action, the Forum appealed to the judiciary to safeguard Nigerian democracy and asked the National Assembly to amend electoral laws to curb what they viewed as deliberate manipulation of electoral outcomes. This statement reflected the party’s wider campaign against perceived injustices in the electoral system, aimed at highlighting a nefarious trend they argued undermined fair democratic processes.
Responding to these allegations, INEC’s Chief Press Secretary, Rotimi Oyekanmi, deemed the accusations as “unfortunate and inappropriate.” He highlighted that as a law-abiding organization, INEC could not address allegations currently under judicial consideration, branding the PDP’s actions as a form of “media trial.” Oyekanmi criticized the PDP for expressing their grievances in public rather than presenting their evidence formally in court, emphasizing the importance of adhering to judicial processes. With a view on the Ondo State election, he defended INEC’s performance, asserting it ranked among the commission’s successful electoral outings, despite not being perfect, and urged political parties to embrace sportsmanship in their electoral engagements.
The ruling APC party also retaliated against the PDP governors’ claims, urging them to focus on their ongoing court case instead of appealing to the public. Bala Ibrahim, the APC National Publicity Director, questioned why the PDP was choosing to voice its grievances publicly rather than pursuing constitutional avenues for dispute resolution. He accused the opposition party of inciting public sentiment against INEC and warned of their potential attempts to undermine the legal and democratic framework in Nigeria. Ibrahim suggested that the PDP’s refusal to engage with peace initiatives before the election raised suspicions regarding its motivations and integrity.
Bala highlighted a broader concern regarding the PDP’s approach to political grievances, suggesting that a lack of adherence to legal protocols could destabilize democratic processes. He criticized the opposition for emotional responses instead of seeking resolution through established legal channels, underlining that many of the involved governors were legally installed through judicial processes. His comments pointed toward a larger narrative within Nigerian politics, where emotions and public sentiment often take precedence over legal mechanisms for political challenge. He indicated that the APC’s understanding of constitutional processes should be nurtured among PDP leaders, advocating for adherence to the established legal frameworks rather than escalating tensions through public discourse.
In summary, the events surrounding the Edo State governorship election highlight significant tensions between political parties in Nigeria, particularly the PDP’s allegations of electoral manipulation by INEC and the APC’s defense of both the commission’s integrity and their election outcomes. The unfolding situation illustrates the complexities of Nigerian politics, where grievances over electoral conduct surface amid calls for reform and stronger adherence to legal procedures. With both parties poised for a protracted legal battle, the need for institutional reforms in electoral processes remains a critical point of discussion among stakeholders. The outcome of this dispute will likely influence the political dynamics in Nigeria as calls for transparency and accountability continue to resonate within the democratic framework.
