The All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party in Edo State are at loggerheads over the upcoming Continuous Voters Registration exercise scheduled by the Independent National Electoral Commission from May 27 to June 5, 2024.
The APC, through its spokesman Peter Igbinigie, has called for a postponement of the exercise, citing the recent flood that damaged INEC’s office and allegedly destroyed vital materials.
The party also alleged that the PDP plans to manipulate the voter registration process to rig the September 21 governorship election, according to Channels TV.
However, the PDP, through the Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, has denied the allegations, dismissing them as baseless and unfounded.
The party accused the APC of trying to discredit the electoral process and create chaos.
The CVR exercise is crucial for eligible voters who have not yet registered to participate in the upcoming election. INEC has assured the public of its commitment to conducting a free and fair election, despite the controversy.
The political tensions between the APC and PDP continue to escalate as the election draws near.
The party also demanded “the strict compliance with the INEC designated venues for the CVR exercise which is the Ward Headquarters and the “complete restriction of transfer of voters from neighbouring states during the CVR exercise”.
Responding, the Edo State Government described as baseless accusations and untrue statements, claims by the APC that the PDP planned to rig the election by mobilising underage voters during the registration exercise.
The commissioner said his principal, Governor Godwin Obaseki, remained committed to upholding the principles of democracy in the forthcoming poll.
“Instead of the APC empathizing with the electoral umpire for the damage done to it office as a result of the torrential rain of Friday night, they are sauntering around with arrogant statements, grandstanding, and demanding the cancellation of an exercise that is meant to allow the registration of unregistered voters over baseless claims of compromised INEC officials and biased ad hoc staff,” Nehikhare said.
“The APC must know that for this forthcoming election, there will be neither rigging nor writing of results.
“As a government, we are committed to upholding the principles of democracy and ensuring that every eligible person in the State has the opportunity to register and exercise their franchise. We reject any attempts to undermine the electoral process and will continue to work closely with INEC and other stakeholders to facilitate a transparent and credible voter registration exercise.”
The forthcoming governorship election in the state has top contenders including Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party, PDP’s Asue Ighodalo and APC’s Monday Okpebholo.
