EDO 2024: LP Lawmakers Decry Election Rigging
•••Condemn Manipulation of Results
••Calls for Investigation
•By Our Reporter
ABUJA – The Labour Party (LP) caucus in the House of Representatives on Wednesday formally rejected the results of Saturday’s Edo State Governorship election, which saw the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Monday Okpebholo, declared winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
According to Prof. Faruk Kuta, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Returning Officer, Okpebholo secured a total of 291,667 votes, emerging victorious over Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party (LP), who garnered 247,274 and 22,763 votes, respectively.
Addressing journalists at the National Assembly Complex, the Deputy Minority Whip of the House of Representatives, George Ozodinobi, alongside 32 other Labour Party lawmakers, condemned the recent election, alleging that their party’s candidate was unjustly denied victory.
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Ozodinobi stated, “The Labour Party fielded the best candidate for the election, Barr. Olumide Akpata, an esteemed legal expert and former President of the Nigerian Bar Association. Despite his widespread support from the electorate, anti-democratic forces sabotaged his chances and manipulated the process to rig him out.”
“It is well-documented that our leader and presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, His Excellency Peter Obi, campaigned tirelessly for our gubernatorial candidate across every corner of the state. The world witnessed the overwhelming support and massive crowds drawn by the Obedient Movement during his campaign. Yet, despite this undeniable momentum, Chief Akpata was shockingly allocated a paltry number of votes in a state where, just a year and seven months ago, the Labour Party secured one Senator and two House members. This outcome is deeply concerning, and those responsible for this injustice must be held accountable.”
“We are gravely concerned about the irregularities and alleged malpractices that compromised the electoral process. These include vote-buying orchestrated by the so-called major parties, voter intimidation, mass thumb-printing of ballot papers, and the pre-writing and alteration of election results, among other violations.”
Ozodinobi further accused INEC officials and security agents of being complicit in the alleged election manipulation.
He continued, “This criminal enterprise, supported by certain elements within the state, including security agents and even officials of the electoral commission, must be addressed immediately. It cannot be allowed to recur in future elections. Nigeria deserves a transparent electoral process, free from interference by state actors or external forces.
“What transpired in Edo State on September 21, 2024, represents the most blatant theft of this electoral cycle. The electorate was deprived of their votes, and their will and aspirations were tragically undermined.”
“The Labour Party remains steadfast in its commitment to democratic principles and will not remain silent while the rights of Nigerian citizens are being violated.
In light of this, the lawmakers call on INEC to take swift and decisive action to address these concerns and safeguard the integrity of future elections, especially the upcoming 2027 polls. They emphasized that the supporters of Peter Obi are poised to reshape the nation’s political landscape in the near future.”
“The Obi-dient Movement is gaining unstoppable momentum, and no force on earth can stand in our way. The commission must diligently address any discrepancies to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process.
“We stand firmly with the people of Edo State and reaffirm our commitment to defending their rights and interests,” he added.
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“Ozodinobi urged Nigerians to remain patient regarding the Labour Party’s stance on Akpata’s victory, noting that the LP caucus is actively gathering evidence. He assured that the party would soon take decisive action on the matter.”
•INDEPENDENTNG.