PDP Rejects Edo Governorship Election Results, Demands INEC Review

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has outrightly rejected the Edo State Governorship election results as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). During a press conference held in Abuja on Monday, September 23, the party’s acting national chairman, Ambassador Umar Ilyas Damagum, expressed shock at the defeat of PDP’s candidate, Asue Ighodalo, and called for a thorough review of the election process.

Damagum asserted that the results announced by INEC did not reflect the will of the people, alleging that they were manipulated in favor of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Monday Okpebholo. “The PDP unequivocally rejects the final result of the Edo State Governorship election as declared by INEC, as it did not meet the minimum standard for democracy,” Damagum stated.

The PDP is demanding that INEC, in line with Section 65 of the Electoral Act, 2022, review the election results and declare only the genuine votes cast at polling units. Damagum also accused the APC of deploying violence and intimidation to alter the election outcome during the collation process, claiming that Dr. Asue Ighodalo had initially won at the polling unit level.

Although Damagum expressed skepticism regarding the judiciary’s ability to deliver justice, he hinted that the party may still pursue legal action. “We shall put to test the preparedness of the judiciary to do justice where required,” he remarked, emphasizing the party’s concern for Nigeria’s democratic stability.

Damagum also pointed to alleged complicity by security agencies and electoral officials, accusing them of facilitating APC’s victory by harassing PDP supporters and manipulating the election results. According to him, the election was compromised in collusion with compromised INEC officials and security operatives.