The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its Governors Forum have rallied behind Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, who leads the Edo State Governorship Election National Campaign Council.
Fintiri asserted on Sunday that the PDP candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, had clearly won the Edo governorship election and accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of violating the Electoral Act.
Currently, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, is leading in the ongoing results coalition. He is followed closely by the PDP’s Ighodalo.
In a statement issued on Sunday, PDP National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba revealed that Fintiri presented polling unit results showing Ighodalo with a clear lead before the state collation process was allegedly compromised.
The PDP accused the APC of conspiring with dishonest INEC and security officials to alter the authentic results in favor of Okpebholo.
“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stands by the results of the Edo State governorship election as gathered by its polling agents across the state and echoed by Governor Ahmadu Fintiri. These results indicate that Dr. Asue Ighodalo clearly won the election,” the statement read.
The PDP criticized the APC’s aggressive response to Fintiri’s claims, interpreting it as evidence of the APC’s desperation to conceal electoral manipulation and steal the mandate given to Ighodalo by Edo voters.
The statement further warned that any attempt to alter the election results to favor a defeated candidate would have serious consequences. “The PDP strongly cautions the APC and INEC not to announce or declare any result that does not reflect the will of the people as expressed at the polling units. Such an action would be a recipe for a major crisis in the state,” the PDP stated.
In a related development, the PDP Governors Forum, led by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, commended the people of Edo State for their strong voter turnout. The forum emphasized that Fintiri’s statements were based on results already collated and available on the INEC IREV portal, aimed at preventing manipulation and safeguarding the election’s integrity.
The forum added, “We have no doubt that given the achievements of outgoing Governor Godwin Obaseki and the qualities of our candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, the people of Edo State have made the right choice, despite the hardship spread by the APC Administration nationwide.”
PDP-elected governors also urged INEC to ensure that the final results accurately reflect the wishes of Edo voters, reminding the commission of its duty to uphold democratic principles and avoid a disputed outcome.
The PDP Governors Forum reiterated its commitment to democratic practices and the peace and stability of Nigeria, standing firmly with Governors Fintiri, Diri, Agbu Kefas, and Oborevwori in their efforts to protect the sanctity of the election.
