The rejection of the Edo State Governorship election results by the Peoples Democratic Party was made official on Monday. The party demanded a review of the election results by the Independent National Electoral Commission. The PDP claimed that their candidate was the rightful winner and alleged that the election did not meet democratic standards.
The PDP urged Nigerians to support their rejection of the election outcome and highlighted concerns about the conduct of the election. The party emphasized the need for a review of the results based on genuine votes cast at polling units. They denounced what they perceived as rigging and manipulation during the election.
The PDP criticized the conduct of the election, citing issues of violence, harassment, and vote-buying. They called for solidarity against what they viewed as an assault on democratic rights. The party expressed disappointment in the electoral process and raised doubts about the credibility of the results announced by the electoral body.
In response, the All Progressives Congress fired back, attributing their success in the election to the motivation provided by the outgoing Edo State Governor’s remarks. The APC emphasized their commitment to a “do-and-succeed” ideology rather than a “do-or-die” mentality. They commended their supporters for their efforts and hinted at plans to leverage the election results for future political strategies.
The Labour Party candidate expressed shock over the prevalence of vote-buying during the election and criticized the transactional nature of the electoral process. He raised concerns about the implications of such practices on democracy and urged voters to reflect on the long-term consequences of selling their votes.
Observers from Yiaga Africa highlighted instances of results manipulation and disruptions during the election, casting doubt on the credibility of the announced results. They condemned acts of violence and interference during the electoral process. However, the Centre for Democracy and Development West Africa commended INEC for its handling of the election, particularly noting the efficiency of the Biometric Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines.