The Independent National Electoral Commission announced it would provide the Peoples Democratic Party with electoral materials for the September 21 Edo State governorship election today (Wednesday).
The Resident Electoral Commissioner for Edo State, Dr. Augbum Onuoha, confirmed this amid PDP complaints about delays.
PDP National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba accused INEC of deliberately withholding materials to manipulate evidence of alleged rigging. In response, Onuoha stated, “We have asked them to come tomorrow (Wednesday).”
Edo State Commissioner for Communication, Chris Osa Nehikhare, accused INEC of colluding with the All Progressives Congress to obstruct justice.
He claimed, “We are aware that this clandestine and surreptitious game plan is to frustrate the PDP’s appeal.”
After INEC declared APC candidate Senator Monday Okpebholo the winner with 291,667 votes against PDP’s Asue Ighodalo’s 247,274 votes, Ighodalo vowed to challenge the result in court. They secured a court order for material inspection but faced repeated denials from INEC.
On Monday, PDP’s legal team was blocked from accessing election materials at INEC headquarters despite presenting a court order. Nehikhare alleged that the APC planned to burn down the INEC office to destroy evidence of electoral fraud.
PDP women protested in Benin City, demanding the return of Ighodalo’s “stolen mandate.” Spokesperson Stella Okoro expressed their pain: “We are troubled because of our stolen mandate… They used INEC, police and soldiers to rob us.”
In defense, the APC denied involvement and criticized PDP’s claims as falsehoods. They stated, “The All Progressives Congress read the diatribe… with utter dismay at the falsehood…”
Despite these tensions, PDP remains committed to pursuing what they believe is their rightful victory in the election.
