The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has slammed the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) governors for charging the agency with manipulating and rigging the 2024 Edo State governorship election and told the politicians to present evidence of their charges in court.
During a recent two-day meeting in Jos, Plateau State, the PDP governors claimed that electoral irregularities prevented the party’s candidate, Asue Ighodalo, from winning in Edo.
They also accused INEC of rigging the recent Ondo election for the ruling APC.
They alleged that INEC altered results to benefit the APC and urged the judiciary and lawmakers to enhance electoral laws to combat what they referred to as “institutional sabotage of the will of the people”.
Responding to the charges, Rotimi Oyekanmi, Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, called the allegations “unfortunate and inappropriate.”
Oyekanmi criticized the PDP governors for engaging in a “media trial”, encouraging them to present their evidence in court instead of making unsubstantiated claims publicly.
He pointed out that the PDP has filed a petition at the tribunal to contest the Edo State governorship election results, suggesting they should provide their evidence there.
Regarding the Ondo State election, Oyekanmi defended INEC’s performance, labeling it one of the best elections conducted by the Commission.
He urged political parties to adopt a spirit of sportsmanship, stating, “It is not healthy to accept the outcome of an election only when you win.”
The electoral body had declared Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) winner of the Edo election with 291,667 votes, with the PDP candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, securing 247,274 votes. Labour Party’s Olumide Akpata came third with 22,761 votes.
Similarly, in Ondo, INEC declared Lucky Aiyedatiwa as the winner of the governorship election that was held on Nov 14 defeating the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate Agboola Ajayi, and Olorunfemi Festus of the Labour Party.
