Benin City, Edo State – Leaders and members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) marched to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Benin City on Wednesday to protest the results of the September 21 governorship election. The election declared Senator Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) the winner, with 291,667 votes compared to the PDP candidate Asue Ighodalo’s 247,274 votes.
The PDP has vehemently rejected the outcome, alleging manipulation of the results. Protesters carried banners demanding the removal of the Edo Resident Electoral Commissioner and calling for the restoration of what they claim is their rightful mandate.
Chants such as “Oshiomhole, Tinubu, give us our mandate” echoed through the streets as PDP officials, including state chairman Tony Aziegbemi and campaign director Mathew Iduoriyekewen, addressed the crowd. Aziegbemi asserted that the election was marred by irregularities and urged INEC to declare Ighodalo the true winner.
“We thank you all for coming out today on a journey to reclaim the mandate taken away from us,” Aziegbemi said. He emphasized the party’s commitment to presenting evidence of their claims in court, expressing confidence that the judiciary would support their case.
Security forces were deployed to ensure the protest remained peaceful and to prevent demonstrators from approaching the INEC office directly.
In response, APC spokesperson Peter Uwadiae-Igbinigie dismissed the protests, stating that they would not alter the election results. He advised the PDP to present their case to the election tribunal if they believe their mandate was unjustly taken.
“The Edo people passed a referendum with their voter cards and gave the APC the mandate to govern the state starting November 12,” Uwadiae-Igbinigie added, urging the PDP to accept the electoral outcome and follow proper legal channels.
The PDP’s demonstration highlights ongoing tensions in Edo State politics as they seek to challenge the election results through judicial means.
