PDP Calls for Fresh Election Collation as LP’s Akpata Claims Massive Electoral Fraud

The PDP has rejected the results of the Edo governorship election, while Labour Party’s Olumide Akpata alleges widespread vote-buying and fraud, demanding justice.

Introduction (First Paragraph): The Edo election fraud claims have taken center stage as both the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP) call for an urgent review of the recent governorship poll. PDP insists that the announced results do not reflect the true will of Edo State citizens, while LP’s Olumide Akpata alleges rampant vote-buying that compromised the integrity of the process.

The PDP, represented by Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum, outrightly rejected the results of the Edo election, claiming that their candidate, Asue Ighodalo, was the legitimate winner. In a press conference, Damagum stressed that the process was manipulated, alleging that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) failed to meet democratic standards. The PDP urged INEC to review the results and respect the voters’ choice, citing Edo election fraud claims as a basis for the demand.

Meanwhile, Olumide Akpata, the Labour Party candidate who placed third in the election, also raised serious concerns over the conduct of the election. During a press briefing, Akpata expressed shock at the widespread vote-buying that took place, further reinforcing the Edo election fraud claims. He highlighted how economic hardships led many voters to sell their votes, which he believes ultimately undermined the electoral process.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, was declared the winner of the governorship election, securing over 291,000 votes. However, both the PDP and LP have cast doubt on the legitimacy of these results. Akpata stressed that the transactional nature of the election was antithetical to democratic principles, urging Edo citizens to reflect on the long-term consequences of such actions.

As the controversy deepens, Damagum called on Nigerians and the international community to stand in solidarity with Edo voters, who he claims were victims of electoral manipulation. The PDP’s call for a fresh collation of results was driven by the party’s resolve to uphold the people’s mandate and combat the rising trend of Edo election fraud claims.

Conclusion: As both PDP and LP challenge the election results, the spotlight remains on INEC’s next steps in addressing the Edo election fraud claims. With both parties gearing up for legal battles and public scrutiny mounting, the future of democracy in Edo State hangs in the balance.