INEC Makes Available Electoral Materials to PDP Amid Tensions in Edo State

In a move aimed at resolving tensions in Edo State, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that it will make available electoral materials to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) today, Wednesday. The decision comes after the PDP had complained of delays in accessing the materials, which they claim are being withheld to doctor the results of the September 21 governorship poll.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner for Edo State, Dr. Augbum Onuoha, disclosed this in an interview with The PUNCH on Tuesday. According to Onuoha, the PDP will be given access to the election materials today, following a court order directing INEC to allow them to inspect the materials.

The PDP had earlier accused INEC officials of deliberately withholding the materials to allegedly doctor them in order to conceal the alleged rigging of the poll. INEC had declared the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, winner of the poll with 291,667 votes, to edge out PDP’s Asue Ighodalo, who recorded 247,274 votes.

However, the PDP and Ighodalo alleged manipulation of the poll, vowing to challenge the result in court. They secured a court order directing INEC to allow them to inspect the electoral materials, but were refused access despite presenting the court order to INEC officials.

The PDP women wing staged a protest in Benin City, demanding the return of the allegedly stolen mandate of Ighodalo. The women, clad in black attire, vowed to continue protesting until their demand was realised. They accused INEC, police, and soldiers of robbing them of their mandate and vowed to get it back.

In response to the agitation by the PDP, the Director of Publicity, Edo APC Governorship Campaign Council, denied APC’s involvement in the matter. He accused the PDP of misrepresenting the true situation at the Benin Office of the Independent National Electoral Commission and urged Nigerians to disregard baseless statements credited to Asue Media Organisation.

The APC also accused the PDP Chairman in Edo State, Tony Aziegbemi, of planning to take advantage of his acquaintance with a female INEC ICT department staff to falsify already declared results. The party urged Nigerians to remain calm and allow the legal process to take its course.

The controversy surrounding the Edo State governorship poll has sparked widespread debate and concern, with many calling for transparency and accountability in the electoral process. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen whether the PDP will be able to challenge the results in court and secure a new mandate for their candidate.