INEC also advised the governors to approach the court for redress instead of making unsubstantiated claims publicly
By Kehinde Okeowo
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has expressed disappointment over allegation by governors of the main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that it manipulated the outcome of the 2024 Edo and Ondo States governorship election.
The electoral umpire countered the governors in a statement released by the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi.
During a recent two-day meeting in Jos, Plateau State, the PDP governors alleged that electoral irregularities prevented the party’s candidate, Asue Ighodalo, from winning in Edo.
The PDP governors also accused INEC of rigging the recently conducted Ondo State’s gubernatorial election.
They further claimed the electoral body altered results to benefit the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and urged the judiciary and lawmakers to enhance electoral laws to combat what they referred to as “institutional sabotage of the will of the people”.
Responding to their submissions, Oyekanmi said the allegations were “unfortunate and inappropriate,” emphasizing that INEC, as a law-abiding body, cannot comment on ongoing court matters.
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He, however, criticized the PDP governors for engaging in a “media trial”, encouraging them to present their evidence in court instead of making unsubstantiated claims publicly.
He pointed out that the PDP has filed a petition at the tribunal to contest the Edo State governorship election results, suggesting they should provide their evidence there.
Speaking on the Ondo election, Oyekanmi defended INEC’s performance, labeling it as one of the best elections conducted by the Commission.
He urged political parties to adopt a spirit of sportsmanship, stating, “It is not healthy to accept the outcome of an election only when you win.”
INEC declared Monday Okpebholo of the APC winner of the Edo governorship election after garnering 291,667 votes and defeating his closest rival, PDP candidate, Asue Ighodalo, who secured 247,274 votes.
Similarly, it declared incumbent governor and APC candidate, Lucky Aiyedatiwa the winner of the Ondo governorship election held on November 14 after beating the PDP candidate, Agboola Ajayi.
