LP Reps Denounce Edo Governorship Election Results, Claim Rigging

Members of the Labour Party (LP) in the House of Representatives on Wednesday voiced their rejection of the results from Saturday’s Edo State governorship election, which saw Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress declared the winner.

According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Returning Officer, Prof. Faruk Kuta, Okpebholo received 291,667 votes, surpassing Asue Ighodalo and Olumide Akpata from the Peoples Democratic Party and LP, who garnered 247,274 and 22,763 votes, respectively.

Speaking to journalists at the National Assembly Complex, House Deputy Minority Whip George Ozodinobi, representing 32 other LP lawmakers, criticized the electoral process, asserting that their candidate was unfairly excluded.

Ozodinobi stated, “The Labour Party presented the best candidate in the election, who was brazenly rigged out of the process. Our candidate, Olumide Akpata, a renowned legal professional and former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, garnered significant support from the electorate but enemies of democracy thwarted his efforts and excellent standing in the election.”

He continued, “It is on record that our leader and presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, campaigned vigorously for our gubernatorial candidate in every nook and cranny of the state. Of course, the whole world witnessed the massive crowd that the Obedient Movement pulled wherever he went during the campaign, yet Chief Akpata was allocated paltry votes in a state where LP just about a year and seven months ago had one Senator and two House members. This is very grateful to the perpetrators of this crime.”

Ozodinobi expressed deep concern over reported irregularities and alleged malpractice during the election, including vote buying by major parties, voter intimidation, and the manipulation of ballot papers.

He placed responsibility on INEC officials and security agents for these alleged manipulations, stating, “This criminal enterprise aided by some elements of the state, including security agents and even officials of the electoral umpire, must be nipped in the bud and must not be allowed to be replicated in any future election. Nigeria deserves a transparent electoral process devoid of any form of interference from agents of the state or any external force.”

He characterized the events of September 21, 2024, as “the highest theft of the season,” claiming that the electorate was deprived of their votes and wishes. “We want to state without mincing words that the Labour Party is committed to democratic principles and will not stand idly by while the rights of our citizens are trampled upon.”

The lawmakers called on INEC to take prompt action to restore the integrity of future elections, particularly the upcoming 2027 polls. Ozodinobi declared, “The Obi-dient Movement tsunami is coming as no person born of a woman will stop us. The commission must work tirelessly to prevent similar discrepancies and uphold the sanctity of the electoral process.”

In response to questions about evidence to support Akpata’s claim of victory, Ozodinobi urged patience from the public, indicating that the party would soon take further action on the matter.