Leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Edo State, have protested to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, office Aduwawa, Benin City, to register their displeasure over the conduct of the governorship election in the state.
The leaders of the protest include the Chairman of the PDP State chapter of the PDP, Dr. Anthony Aziegbemi, the Director General of Asue/Ogie Campaign Organisation, Mathew Iduoriyekemwen; Deputy Director General (Media and Publicity) of the campaign organisation, Rev. Olu Martins, among other top leaders of the party, who stressed that the mandate of the people had been stolen.
Armed with placards with various inscriptions, they demanded that INEC return the people’s mandate and declare the PDP governorship candidate in the September 21, election, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, as the authentic winner of the state governorship election.
The protests which disrupted vehicular traffic for several hours at the Ramat park axis of the busy Auchi – Benin expressway way, had hundreds of party supporters who sang solidarity songs to register their misgivings over INEC’s handling of the election.
Addressing the protesters, Edo State Chairman of the PDP, Dr. Anthony Aziegbemi said the rationale for the protest was to inform the world that INEC changed the result of the election as the PDP won the poll.
He called on INEC to do the needful by immediately declaring the PDP governorship candidate, Dr Asue Ighodalo as winner of the election alleging that INEC manipulated results of some of the local government announced.
“We thank you all for coming out today in a journey to reclaim the mandate stolen from us by the police and INEC. They subverted the will of Edo people.
“If we had lost this election in a free and fair contest, we would have congratulated them but because they stole our mandate we can’t congratulate them.
“Go and sleep as we are going to reclaim the mandate stolen from us. We are calling on the judiciary to look at our submission and be truthful in their judgement when the time comes.
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“This is Nigeria and we can’t be robbed off our victory as we are sure of reclaiming our stolen mandate as we will present overwhelming evidence.
“We are sure that we will recover our mandate as preliminary analysis we have done shows that this election was won clearly by Asue Ighodalo.
“We will present the case to the tribunal. We believe that the tribunal is made up of men and women of integrity and they will look at the evidence before them and come to the conclusion that PDP won the election. We are going to the tribunal with an open mind.
“PDP is a very peaceful party as it always preaches peace. Our protest has been violent free and it will continue to be so.”
Also speaking, Director General, Asue/Ogie Campaign organisation, Mr. Matthew Idioyekhewen, said the PDP won the Edo governorship poll and they will continue the protest until the people’s mandate is returned to Dr. Asue Ighodalo.
“This election results will either make or mar Nigeria’s democracy. INEC should be disbanded, they are part of the APC and they are supported by the Police.
“We would take our case forward. We will give the judiciary a try and see if they can redeem the image of the authorities. We will take our case to them and see what they will do.”
Earlier in a remark, Deputy Director General Asue/Ogie Campaign organisation, Reverend Olu Martins, who canvassed sacking of INEC electoral officers of Egor, Oredo and Ikpoba Okha LGAs, said the protest will continue until Dr. Asue Ighodalo is declared winner of the election.
He added that PDP and its leadership in the State will not compromise in recovering the mandate.
