Three weeks after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Senator Monday Okpebholo the governor-elect of Edo State, a prominent pro-democracy organization has made significant accusations against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo.
The Initiative for Democratic Advancement and Free Speech, based in Abuja, released a statement urging the PDP to accept the results of the September 21 governorship election instead of resorting to media manipulation to stir public sentiment.
Patrick Osaigbovo, the executive director of the organization, expressed disappointment that the crux of the PDP’s argument hinges on the operational status of INEC’s results viewing portal.
Osaigbovo criticized the PDP for its ongoing attacks on various state institutions, including INEC and law enforcement agencies, since the election. He stated, “These attacks are a continuation of the PDP’s pre-election strategy, which relied on crude propaganda to intimidate state institutions and deceive the electorate.”
As a group dedicated to promoting good governance and enhancing Nigeria’s electoral democracy, they asserted that the PDP had already lost the public’s trust before the elections due to its actions.
He highlighted how, while the APC candidate, Senator Okpebholo, campaigned diligently at the grassroots level, the PDP focused on media propaganda and appealing to the diaspora instead of engaging directly with local voters.
“Remarkably, one individual even wagered N5 million on national television, betting on the PDP’s victory as if the future of Edo people were a game of chance. This showed the PDP’s cavalier attitude towards the aspirations of the populace,” he remarked.
Osaigbovo pointed out that the PDP has overstepped its bounds by attempting to declare results itself and has relied on the opinions of certain biased groups that claim to be election observers.
He noted that these so-called observers exceeded their mandate by openly opposing the results announced by INEC, which they are only supposed to observe and report on.
The statement further explained that according to INEC guidelines, results should be uploaded to the iREV portal once all voters have cast their ballots. However, the PDP began releasing its own results from its “Situation Room” as early as 10 AM, despite voters still being in line, indicating a pre-planned agenda that could incite post-election unrest.
Osaigbovo reiterated that while the results declared by INEC align with those on the iREV, it is essential to remember that the Supreme Court had previously ruled that the lack of electronic transmission of results via the iREV does not invalidate the electoral process.
He referenced Justice Inyang Okoro’s comments, noting that the Electoral Act grants INEC the authority to decide how election results are transmitted, and the appellants had failed to demonstrate any violations of the law.
“Rather than backing biased groups posing as election observers, the PDP should focus on self-assessment and preparation for future elections,” he added, clarifying the distinction between observer groups and official election monitors, with INEC being the sole authority in the latter role.
In response, Reverend Olu Martins, the deputy director-general of media for the PDP Campaign Council, dismissed the allegations as unfounded. He asserted that the claims lack credible evidence, emphasizing that established observers have previously assessed the election processes.
“The observers are seasoned professionals in the field. We must strive to enhance our electoral systems. Many observers concluded that the electoral processes were fair and transparent at the polling units,” he stated.
