In the heart of Benin City, the capital of Edo State, an atmosphere of tension and uncertainty hangs heavy in the air. Just 48 hours after the polls closed in what was supposed to be a demonstration of Nigeria’s maturing democracy, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has thrown the state into political turmoil. On Monday, September 23, 2024, the party’s leadership vehemently rejected the outcome of Saturday’s governorship election, alleging “brazen” rigging and vowing to pursue all legal avenues to reclaim what they describe as their stolen mandate.
Standing before a sea of journalists at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja, Acting National Chairman of the PDP, Umar Damagum, didn’t mince words. It is clear that our democracy is under threat,” he declared, his voice resonating with a mix of anger and determination. Damagum painted a picture of an election “barefacedly compromised” by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in collusion with what he termed “unpatriotic security operatives” and “heavily procured officials” of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The accusations come in the wake of INEC’s declaration of APC candidate Monday Okpebholo as the winner, with 291,667 votes. PDP’s Asue Ighodalo came second with 247,274 votes, while Labour Party’s Olumide Akpata secured 22,763 votes.
Damagum didn’t hold back in his allegations, pointing fingers at specific individuals he claims played roles in subverting the election. We had alerted the public of this sinister plot by the APC,” he stated, before naming AIG Zone 7, Benneth Igwe, and Edo State Commissioner of Police CP Nemo Edwin-Iwo as alleged collaborators in the scheme.
The PDP chairman also took aim at Dr. Anugbum Onuoha, Edo State’s Resident Electoral Commissioner, describing him as “a known APC apologist and supporter.” These accusations have sent shockwaves through Edo’s political landscape, with supporters from both sides engaging in heated debates on the streets of Benin City.
On the bustling streets of Benin City, opinions are divided. John Osagie, a 45-year-old trader, expressed his frustration: “We stood in line for hours to vote. Now they’re telling us our voices don’t matter? This is not the democracy we fought for.”
Meanwhile, APC supporter Mary Okonkwo countered, “The PDP is just being a sore loser. The people have spoken, and they chose change. They should accept defeat gracefully.”
According to Damagum, the true story of the election lies in the results obtained from individual polling units. “Despite the violence, intimidation, and manipulations by the APC,” he claimed, “results obtained from the Polling Units show that our candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, clearly won the election before the figures were altered at the State collation exercise in favor of the defeated APC candidate.
This assertion has raised questions about the integrity of the collation process, a crucial stage in Nigeria’s electoral system where results from various polling units are compiled and tallied.
As of press time, INEC has yet to respond directly to the PDP’s allegations. However, the electoral body’s spokesman, Festus Okoye, released a general statement reaffirming the commission’s commitment to transparency and fairness in all elections.
The PDP is not content with mere statements, however. Damagum announced that the party is demanding INEC review the Edo State governorship election within the time stipulated by Section 65 of the Electoral Act, 2022. “We demand that INEC announce results only as obtained from the genuine votes cast at the Polling Units,” he insisted.
With the gauntlet thrown down, all eyes are now on the courts. The PDP has made it clear that they will “explore all legal and democratic means to retrieve the stolen mandate” of their candidate, Asue Ighodalo.
Legal expert Barr. Emmanuel Nwoke offered his perspective on the brewing legal battle: “The PDP faces an uphill task. They’ll need to present concrete evidence of widespread irregularities that significantly affected the outcome. It’s not impossible, but it won’t be easy.”
As the political drama unfolds, concerns are growing about its impact on governance in Edo State. Dr. Amina Ibrahim, a political scientist at the University of Benin, warned of potential consequences: “This dispute could paralyze governance for months. With economic challenges and security concerns, Edo can ill afford such a prolonged period of uncertainty.
The controversy has also reignited debates about Nigeria’s electoral system. Chidi Odinkalu, a prominent human rights lawyer, tweeted: “What’s happening in Edo is a symptom of a deeper malaise. Until we address the fundamental flaws in our electoral process, we’ll keep repeating this cycle.”
As Edo State finds itself at a crossroads, the coming weeks promise to be crucial for the future of democracy in the region. The PDP’s allegations of widespread rigging and their vow to contest the results in court have set the stage for a protracted legal and political battle.
With tensions running high and both sides digging in their heels, the true test of Nigeria’s democratic institutions lies ahead. Will the courts be able to adjudicate fairly and transparently? Can INEC defend the integrity of its processes? And most importantly, will the will of the Edo people ultimately prevail?
As the sun sets over Benin City, these questions hang in the air, unanswered. What is clear, however, is that the 2024 Edo State governorship election has become more than just a local contest – it’s now a litmus test for the strength and resilience of Nigeria’s democratic journey.
