Edo State Under Siege: APC Alleges PDP’s Sinister Voter Card Manipulation, Calls for Citizens to Defend Democracy

The APC New Media Directorate is gravely concerned by alarming reports of deliberate attempts by Governor Godwin Obaseki and the PDP to undermine the upcoming elections in Edo State through the illegal seizure of voters’ cards. This blatant act of voter suppression threatens the very foundation of our democracy and jeopardizes the future of every citizen in Edo State. Silence is not an option in the face of such flagrant disenfranchisement.

A disturbing video recently emerged from Ikpoba Okha LGA, revealing the collusion between INEC staff and the PDP in this shameful act. A brave woman exposed how voters’ cards are being collected in bulk, aiming to skew the election results in favor of the PDP. This is not an isolated incident; it’s a well-orchestrated effort to deny Edo citizens their right to freely choose their leaders. Despite persistent outcries from opposition parties, particularly the APC and LP, the authorities have yet to take decisive action against this ongoing electoral malpractice. This isn’t mere negligence; it borders on complicity.

Our investigations have uncovered that this scheme extends far beyond a single area. Across the state, including Unit 6 (Edokha Primary School, Ukhomedokha) and Ward 10 (Okpekpe), APC members who recently registered for their PVCs are discovering their cards are missing. This pattern of disenfranchisement is spreading throughout Edo, systematically targeting those opposed to the current regime. We must ask: why is the PDP, under Obaseki’s leadership, so determined to suppress the votes of the very people they claim to serve? If the Obaseki administration truly served the people, why resort to such desperate and dishonorable tactics?

The truth is evident: the PDP recognizes that it has lost the trust and confidence of Edo’s citizens. This latest move to manipulate voter cards is a desperate attempt to hold onto power by any means necessary. But let it be clear: Edo State is not for sale. The people of Edo will not stand idly by while their future is bartered away by those who have repeatedly failed them.

To Governor Obaseki and the PDP, we say this: your time is up. The citizens of Edo have seen through your deceit, and no amount of manipulation will shield you from their judgment. Any attempt to impose Asue Ighodalo, an outsider disconnected from our struggles and aspirations, as a successor to your failed administration will be fiercely resisted. Edo State deserves a leader who understands our pains, not someone handpicked by a failed governor to perpetuate a legacy of failure.

To all citizens of Edo, this is a call to action. We must unite to safeguard our democracy. The power of the people is greater than those in power. Let’s ensure our voices are heard and our votes are counted. We must hold INEC accountable and demand that every citizen of Edo is afforded the right to vote freely and fairly. We owe it to ourselves, our children, and the future of Edo State.

Signed,
Osigwe Omo-Ikirodah
APC New Media Directorate