The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has officially rejected the outcome of the Edo governorship election and is heading to court to challenge the results. Stay updated on their legal battle.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has officially rejected the results of the Edo State Governorship election as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). During a press conference in Abuja, PDP’s acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, called on Nigerians to support the party’s decision.
According to INEC, Senator Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) won the election with 291,667 votes, defeating PDP’s Asue Ighodalo, who received 247,274 votes, and Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party, who garnered 22,763 votes. Out of the state’s 18 local government areas, the APC won 10, while the PDP secured 8.
Damagum asserted that Ighodalo was the rightful winner and alleged that the election failed to meet democratic standards. He demanded that INEC review the election results and announce only those sourced from genuine votes cast at polling units. Damagum also disclosed that the PDP would challenge the results in court and urged the people of Edo to remain resilient.
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He accused the APC of rigging the election with the help of government-controlled agencies, unpatriotic security operatives, and compromised INEC officials. He claimed that despite multiple warnings and demands for the redeployment of certain officials, including AIG Zone 7 Benneth Igwe and Edo State Commissioner of Police CP Nemo Edwin-Iwo, these remained unheeded, fueling suspicions of a top-level conspiracy to rig the election.
Damagum emphasized that the people of Edo State chose Ighodalo as their governor and that their will should be respected. He condemned the actions of APC-compromised security operatives and thugs who, he claimed, harassed and detained PDP members, manipulated the ballot process, and substituted genuine results with fictitious figures to favor Okpebholo.
Finally, Damagum appealed to Nigerians and international supporters of democracy to stand in solidarity with the people of Edo State. He expressed confidence in the judiciary to deliver justice and indicated that the party’s challenge would test the judiciary’s preparedness to address electoral grievances.
