The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has refuted allegations by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors, who accused the commission of manipulating the Edo State governorship election held on September 21, 2024.
PDP Governors’ Claims of Electoral Irregularities
During a two-day meeting in Jos, Plateau State, the PDP governors alleged that electoral irregularities, including vote-buying and result tampering, cost their candidate victory in the Edo State governorship election. They also pointed to alleged malpractice in the recently concluded Ondo election.
The governors called on the judiciary and lawmakers to strengthen electoral laws, describing the perceived irregularities as “institutional sabotage of the will of the people.”
INEC’s Reaction to the Allegations
Rotimi Oyekanmi, Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, dismissed the allegations as “unfortunate and inappropriate.” He maintained that INEC, as a law-abiding organization, cannot comment on matters currently before the court.
Oyekanmi criticized the PDP governors for what he termed a “media trial,” urging them to present any evidence of electoral malpractice in court. He emphasized that the PDP has already filed a petition challenging the election results at the tribunal, making public accusations unnecessary.
Defense of Ondo State Election
Addressing claims regarding the Ondo State election, Oyekanmi defended INEC’s performance, describing it as one of the commission’s best-conducted elections. He appealed to political parties to adopt a spirit of sportsmanship, noting that it is “not healthy to accept the outcome of an election only when you win.”
Edo State Election Results
INEC declared Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the Edo State governorship election, with 291,667 votes. The PDP candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, came second with 247,274 votes, while Labour Party’s Olumide Akpata secured 22,761 votes.
Bottom Line
INEC has urged all aggrieved parties to pursue their claims through legal channels, underscoring its commitment to transparency and fairness in electoral processes. Meanwhile, the PDP governors insist on a review of electoral laws to prevent future allegations of malpractice.
