The recent governorship election in Edo State has sparked controversy, with the Peoples Democratic Party contesting the results that saw the All Progressives Congress candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, emerge as the new governor. The PDP, led by Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, raised concerns about the conduct of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the election.
Despite Okpebholo winning with 291,667 votes, the PDP and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo, who came second, claim that the election was marred by irregularities and manipulation. The PDP accused the APC of altering genuine results in their favor.
The PDP Governors Forum called on INEC to uphold fairness and transparency in announcing election results to reflect the will of the people. They expressed concern over the integrity of the electoral process and emphasized the need for democracy to prevail.
While the PDP continues to challenge the election outcome, the Governor-elect, Okpebholo, has promised to prioritize the development of Edo State. The PDP youths staged a protest against the election results, alleging tampering and discrepancies.
In response to the situation, Governor Godwin Obaseki called for calm and urged the citizens not to resort to violence. He emphasized the importance of peace and justice in upholding democracy.
Various political figures, including President Bola Tinubu and former President Muhammadu Buhari, congratulated Okpebholo on his victory, urging unity and collaboration for the progress of Edo State. The PDP is considering legal options to challenge the election results, emphasizing the need for due process and respect for the rule of law.