The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of pressuring Mahmood Yakubu, chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to halt the collation of results in Edo state’s governorship election.
The election, which was held on Saturday, is still in the result collation phase in several local government areas.
In a statement, Debo Ologunagba, the PDP’s national publicity secretary, claimed that “intelligence” available to the party suggests the APC is attempting to suspend the collation process in order to “manipulate the INEC portal and replace real results from polling units with fabricated figures” in favor of the APC.
According to the PDP, its candidate, Asue Ighodalo, is leading in the election, while the APC is allegedly planning to disrupt the collation centers by deploying thugs.
“Our Party has also been made aware that the APC is mounting pressure on the Military to withdraw from their positions so as to enable the APC convey its armed thugs to disrupt and manipulate the collation process,” Ologunagba said.
He further warned, “The PDP strongly cautions INEC and the APC to be aware that the people of Edo State already possess authentic results from the Polling Units across the State. Any attempt to alter these results could inflame the already tense situation, with severe consequences for the perpetrators.”
Ologunagba referenced the near-deadly protests that erupted following an attempt by a former INEC official in Adamawa State to tamper with the 2023 governorship election results, cautioning that any similar attempt in Edo could provoke even more serious unrest.
“INEC and the APC must note that any attempt to change the results of the Edo State governorship election will provoke worse consequences. The people are ready to use every legitimate means, including physical confrontation if necessary, to protect their votes,” he added.
The PDP urged INEC to resist pressure from the APC and ensure the integrity of the results, while also commending the military for its role in safeguarding the democratic process. The party further called on the Military High Command not to yield to APC pressure to abandon their posts and allow for manipulation of the election.
The PDP also encouraged the people of Edo to remain vigilant at the collation centers and ensure their votes are protected.
