The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State has asserted that they were poised to celebrate their victory in the recent gubernatorial election before their mandate was allegedly usurped.
At a press conference on Wednesday, September 25, the deputy director general of the Asue-Ogie Governorship Campaign Council, Olu Martins, expressed the party’s discontent with the election results released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). According to Martins, with 95 percent of the results in, the PDP was leading by over 45,000 votes.
“We were already jubilating because by the time the result of the election got to 95 percent, you know where you have won or not. Even if the remaining five percent voted for the APC, we would have won the election with over 45,000 votes,” Martins stated.
However, he claimed that once they arrived at the collation center, the situation changed dramatically. “The police said they were on a mission and that whoever can’t stomach it should leave,” he added.
Martins suggested that the electoral contest was not merely between the PDP and the All Progressives Congress (APC) but rather a struggle against the Nigeria Police and INEC. He asserted that the APC should not celebrate their victory, labeling it an “illegal mandate.”
He further criticized the electoral process, describing it as the worst conducted by INEC in Nigeria’s history. “For us, despite what INEC announced, the election contest was not between the PDP and the APC, but between the PDP and the police and INEC,” he said.
Martins emphasized the discrepancy between the results displayed on the INEC Results Viewing Portal (IREV) and those announced by INEC, questioning the integrity of the collation process. “How do you explain that the whole world followed the result on the IREV and saw the result?” he asked, pointing out that by 9 PM on election night, 95 percent of the results from over 4,000 units had already been posted.
He accused the APC of having a “Plan B” once they realized they were losing and expressed concern that such electoral manipulation could not occur without the complicity of INEC and security forces. “It is impossible to rig an election or subvert the will of the people without the active connivance of INEC and the security agents,” he asserted.
Martins detailed incidents of intimidation at the collation centers, alleging that police officers pointed guns at PDP agents and prevented them from entering while allowing APC representatives access. He cited specific local government areas, including Ikpoba Okha, Egor, and Oredo, where these incidents occurred.
He expressed the belief that the president was attempting to establish a one-party state, holding him accountable for the election’s outcome, and noted that many have urged the PDP to congratulate the APC’s candidate. “We will not do that because the election was not free and fair,” he stated, referencing the opinions of election observers.
Martins concluded by assuring supporters that the PDP is reviewing the results and will take legal action where necessary. “We are studying the situation and in a few days our leadership will tell us the line of action,” he promised.
