You’ve already filed a case at Tribunal bring your proof to the Court– INEC slams PDP Govs over Edo, Ondo rigging claims – Crime Channels
You’ve already filed a case at Tribunal bring your proof to the Court– INEC slams PDP Govs over Edo, Ondo rigging claims
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has addressed the allegations raised by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors regarding the alleged manipulation of the 2024 Edo State governorship election.
During a recent two-day meeting in Jos, Plateau State, the PDP governors accused INEC of irregularities that they claimed prevented their candidate, Asue Ighodalo, from winning the election in Edo.
They further alleged that INEC was responsible for rigging the recent Ondo election by manipulating results to benefit the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The PDP governors have called for stronger electoral reforms, urging the judiciary and lawmakers to take action to combat what they describe as “institutional sabotage” of the will of the people.
In response, Rotimi Oyekanmi, Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, dismissed the allegations as “unfortunate and inappropriate,” stating that as a law-abiding organization, INEC cannot comment on ongoing court matters.
He criticised the PDP governors for engaging in a “media trial” and advised them to present their evidence in court rather than making unfounded claims in public.
Oyekanmi noted that the PDP had already filed a petition at the tribunal to contest the results of the Edo State election, urging the party to provide its evidence there.
On the matter of the Ondo election, Oyekanmi defended INEC, calling it one of the most successful elections the Commission has conducted. He further encouraged political parties to embrace sportsmanship, stating, “It is not healthy to accept the outcome of an election only when you win.”
In the Edo governorship race, INEC declared Monday Okpebholo of the APC as the winner with 291,667 votes, while PDP’s Ighodalo secured 247,274 votes, and Labour Party’s Olumide Akpata finished third with 22,761 votes.
In Ondo, INEC declared Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the APC the winner of the November 14 election, defeating PDP’s Agboola Ajayi and Labour Party’s Olorunfemi Festus.
