INEC Announces PDP’s Scheduled Inspection Of Edo Election Materials Today

INEC Announces PDP’s Scheduled Inspection Of Edo Election Materials TodayThe Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that it will provide electoral materials for the September 21 Edo State governorship election to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) today (Wednesday). This information was shared by the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Edo State, Dr. Augbum Onuoha, during an interview with The PUNCH on Tuesday, following complaints from the PDP regarding delays.

On Monday, PDP National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba accused INEC officials of intentionally withholding the electoral materials to allegedly manipulate them and obscure evidence of alleged election rigging. In response to these concerns, Dr. Onuoha confirmed that the PDP would have access to the election materials today.

“We have asked them to come tomorrow (Wednesday),” the REC stated.

Edo State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Osa Nehikhare, also criticized INEC on Tuesday, accusing the commission of using delay tactics in collusion with the All Progressives Congress (APC) to obstruct justice and hinder the PDP’s efforts to contest the election results in court.

INEC had declared APC candidate Senator Monday Okpebholo the winner with 291,667 votes, defeating PDP’s Asue Ighodalo, who garnered 247,274 votes. Both the PDP and Ighodalo have claimed that the election was manipulated and have vowed to challenge the results legally. They obtained a court order allowing them to inspect the electoral materials to support their petition, but expressed frustration over INEC’s refusal to grant access.

Nehikhare remarked, “We are aware that the clandestine and surreptitious game plan is to frustrate the PDP’s appeal and ensure the petition is not filed before the Saturday deadline.” He also accused the APC of planning to destroy INEC’s office and evidence of electoral fraud.

On Monday, the PDP legal team, led by Olusegun Jolaawo (SAN), visited INEC’s headquarters in Benin City to access the BVAS machines, voter registers, ballot papers, and other election materials. However, they were denied access despite presenting the court order to INEC officials.

On Tuesday, women from the Edo PDP held a protest demanding the return of Ighodalo’s allegedly stolen mandate. Dressed in black and carrying placards, they vowed to continue their demonstrations until their demands were met.

Stella Okoro, a former Chairman of the Esan West Local Government Council and spokesperson for the protesting women, expressed their anguish over the election outcome. She stated, “We are here today at the NUJ to express our feelings and our pains. Our stolen mandate is what we are asking for. We voted for Asue Ighodalo, and we are mourning our loss.”

Okoro highlighted the intimidation faced by voters, including arrests of their supporters before the election, and reiterated their demand for the return of their mandate, warning that they would not rest until justice is served.

In response to the PDP’s accusations, the Director of Publicity for the Edo APC Governorship Campaign Council denied any wrongdoing. He expressed dismay over the PDP’s claims and insisted that the APC has not engaged in any electoral misconduct. The spokesperson claimed that the APC youth presence at the INEC office was merely to protect their electoral victory, asserting that the PDP’s allegations were unfounded.

He stated, “We call on Nigerians to disregard the baseless statements made by the PDP. The 2024 Edo State governorship election has already been conducted and won by Senator Monday Okpebholo over two weeks ago.”

The spokesperson further described the PDP’s legal challenges as a result of their electoral defeat and emphasized that the APC is not responsible for the PDP’s difficulties in the judicial process.

For more information on this article and other related posts from Bushradiogist, please join our WhatsApp channel by clicking this link https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaUumOODTkK7AZL1Fw3o. For advertisement inquiries only, kindly send a message to 090 1907 0863 on WhatsApp.