In the usually grueling circus, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party PDP is dueling Nigeria’s Electoral Management Body (INEC) for access to election materials from the Edo State governorship election conducted on September 21.
The materials are required to enable the PDP prepare for its case challenging the outcome of the election in court.
This announcement comes after PDP officials expressed frustration over delays in obtaining these materials, which are crucial for their planned legal challenge against the election results.
Edo State’s Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Augbum Onuoha, confirmed that the PDP could inspect the materials today, aiming to address the party’s concerns about possible tampering with the evidence.
The PDP had accused INEC of conspiring with the All Progressives Congress (APC) to obscure evidence of alleged electoral fraud that led to the victory of APC’s Senator Monday Okpebholo, who received 291,667 votes compared to PDP candidate Asue Ighodalo’s 247,274 votes.
In response to the PDP’s claims, Chris Osa Nehikhare, the Edo State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, criticized INEC for using delay tactics to obstruct the PDP’s efforts.
He voiced concerns that these actions are intended to prevent the PDP from filing a timely petition before the legal deadline.
Nehikhare also made allegations regarding an attempted cover-up involving the destruction of electoral materials, a claim the APC has firmly denied.
On the ground, the PDP’s women’s wing organized a protest in Benin City, demanding the restoration of Ighodalo’s allegedly stolen mandate.
Clad in black, the demonstrators expressed their grief and anger, insisting that their votes were disregarded amid intimidation tactics allegedly used against their supporters during the election.
Meanwhile, the APC dismissed the PDP’s allegations as unfounded and stated that the party’s attempts to misrepresent the situation are a sign of their inability to accept the election results.
They called on the public to disregard the claims and focus on the legal processes initiated by the PDP.
