The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has cautioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) against announcing the results of the September 21 governorship election in Edo State at midnight.
The party also pledged to protect their votes at all costs.
Acting National Chairman, Illiya Damagum, made this statement during the grand finale of the PDP campaign in Edo, where he presented the party’s flag to the governorship candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo.
He said, “To INEC, we don’t want that midnight results announcement. We will be vigilant and make sure that it doesn’t happen.”
“And, we know they will rig the election, this is not a threat, but we are very serious and we will defend our votes with our blood and everything.
“To the citizens of this country, please watch the election of Edo, it will be a test for our democracy. If they miss it here, it means they are looking for anarchy. We know they will attempt to do so, but we will resist them.”
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He urged party supporters to turn out in large numbers to vote and safeguard their votes, emphasizing that the Edo election would be a crucial test for Nigeria’s democracy.
This warning follows the controversy over the midnight announcement of the 2023 presidential election results, during which the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Bola Tinubu, was declared the winner by INEC.
The Chairman of the PDP National Campaign Council and Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, also cautioned against compromising the electoral process, calling on Edo residents to vote for Ighodalo. He emphasized that the party will not be intimidated and knows how to win elections without being rigged out.
In his remarks, Ighodalo promised to build on the achievements of the current Governor, Godwin Obaseki. Meanwhile, the 2023 PDP presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, encouraged voters to protect their votes and ensure a PDP victory.
He said, “So come out to vote, protect and defend your votes, escort your votes and make sure they are announced and if you do that, no body can change your votes and PDP will win come September 21.”
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