- By Safiu Kehinde
Warns Against Awarding Victory to APC
The Peoples Democratic Party on Sunday warned of dire consequences should the victory of its candidate in the Saturday’s governorship election, Asue Ighodalo be awarded to that of the All Progressive Congress, Monday Okpebhollo.
The party reminded the Independent National Electoral Commission of the Adamawa state saga of 2023 which it said led to the death of some INEC officials.
The party said worst consequences await any move to change the result in favour of the APC
They stressed further that any contrary declaration by INEC especially in favour of the APC’s candidate, Monday Okpebholo, will provoke severe consequences in the state.
“The PDP in the strongest terms cautions the APC and INEC not to announce or declare any result that does not reflect the Will of the people as expressed at the Polling Units. Such will be a recipe for a huge crisis in the State as the people of Edo State will never allow their mandate in illegitimate hands.
“Our Party again cautions INEC not to lose sight of the violent protest that trailed the criminal attempt by the former Adamawa State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mallam Hudu Ari to alter the outcome of the 2023 Governorship election in that State which nearly led to the death of some INEC officials,” the party said
PDP affirmed that Asue Ighodalo clearly won the election as earlier announced by the Chairman of the Edo PDP National Campaign Council, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa state.
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Explaining the reason behind Fintiri’s announcement of the collated results, PDP alleged was having a clear lead with Okpebholo thoroughly defeated before the collation exercise was allegedly hijacked by the APC with the support of some INEC officials and security operatives in said effort to fabricate the results.
“As Governor Fintiri presented, the results collated from the Polling Units have Asue Ighodalo in clear lead before the State collation exercise was hijacked by the APC which, in connivance of some unscrupulous INEC and security officials, engaged in blatant alteration and substitution of the genuine results with fabricated figures in favour of the defeated APC candidate.
“The PDP had on several occasions alerted Nigerians of this sinister plot by the APC which will be firmly resisted as the APC and its candidate Monday Okpebholo were thoroughly defeated in the election.” PDP added.
The party, however , charged INEC to do that which is right in the interest of peace, stability and sustenance of Democracy in Nigeria.
As it stands with 17 out of the 18 local government results announced, Monday Okpebholo leads the poll with significant number of votes.