#EdoDecides2024: We Would Have Won if the Election Was Free and Fair – Labour Party

The Edo State Chapter of the Labour Party (LP) has asserted that it would have won the recent governorship election if it had been conducted in a free and fair manner. This claim was made by the state chairman of the party, Mr. Kelly Ogbalo, during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin on Monday.

Ogbalo alleged that the election, which was held on September 22, was tainted by widespread irregularities, including open vote-buying that went unchecked by security agencies. He expressed disappointment over what he described as manipulation of the election process.

According to Ogbalo, “Labour Party won the election but was not allowed to take possession. The election was marred by serious irregularities, and the security agencies failed to act on open vote buying.”

When asked if the Labour Party planned to contest the results in court, Ogbalo said the party had not yet convened a state council meeting to decide on its next course of action.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the election, with 291,667 votes. Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) followed with 247,274 votes, while Labour Party’s candidate, Mr. Olumide Akpata, finished third, securing 22,763 votes.

The Labour Party has yet to formally announce its decision on whether to challenge the election outcome, as it continues to assess the situation.