The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has officially rejected the results of the Edo State Governorship election results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), News About Nigeria reports.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, PDP acting National Chairman Umar Damagum called on concerned Nigerians to support the party’s rejection of the election results.
He said that the PDP candidate, Asue Ighodalo, was the rightful winner of the election, emphasising that “the PDP unequivocally rejects the result as announced by INEC.”
On Sunday, Faruk Adamu Kuta, returning officer for the state, made the declaration of election results publicly at the INEC collation office in Benin.
“That Okpebholo, having satisfied the requirement of the law, is thereby, declared the winner and returned elected,” Kuta, the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, said.
The Edo state has a total of 18 local government areas, divided into Edo North, Edo South, and Edo Central.
The APC candidate won 11 LGAs while the ruling party secured victory in 7 LGAs.
Okpebholo polled 291,667 votes, while Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secured 247,274 votes
Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party (LP) placed a distant third with 22,763 votes.
The election, which took place on Saturday, September 21, has been characterised by mixed reactions and a slew of allegations.
Earlier, the PDP has particularly accused the APC of orchestrating vote manipulation, claiming that the INEC manufactured votes for the APC in some key areas with the help of security agents.
The Labour Party (LP) candidate has also raised concerns about the transparency of the process, with accusations of electoral malpractices.
