The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State has condemned the outcome of the Edo State governorship election, calling it a violation of democracy.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Monday Okpebholo, as the winner of Saturday’s election.
According to the commission, Okpebholo secured 247,274 votes, defeating his closest competitor, PDP candidate Asue Ighodalo, who garnered 291,667 votes, to win the election.
However, the PDP governorship candidate in Ondo, Agboola Ajayi, rejected the official results announced by INEC, insisting that Ighodalo was the true winner of the election and that Nigerians were not deceived by the outcome.
Ajayi, in the statement released by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Ayo Fadaka, expressed disappointment at how INEC disregarded the electoral law by shifting the collation of votes in the designated LG collation centres to its headquarters in Benin.
“The Edo State Governorship Election results represent another rape on democracy in Nigeria and for the umpteenth time, we declare that this is absolutely condemnable, as it betrays a total disregard for the electoral desires of the people as validly expressed through the ballot.
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“Nigerians are not fooled by the officially declared result by INEC, they know that PDP won that election and this is a shame on those who sit atop our affairs,” the statement read.
It added, “In Ondo State, we have taken due cognisance of these dastardly acts committed by agencies saddled with the responsibilities to provide level playing grounds, and sadly failed to live up to expectations. It is a shameful act that lowers the status and respect due to Nigeria in the committee of nations.
“However we are prepared to ensure that rules will be followed in our election which comes up in November. We need to underscore that we will not acquiesce or take kindly to any act geared towards compromising votes in our election.
“We state emphatically for all to see and hear that Ondo is not Edo, our attitude, understanding, and patience differs. We will vote and protect our vote here. We are resolved to give everything to ensure that the electoral desires of our people will command attention and attain the desired goals.”
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