The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Monday stated its rejection of the Saturday Edo governorship election result, saying it would deploy every legal means to reclaim its mandate.
Umar Damagum, PDP acting National Chairman, made this disclosure at a news conference in Abuja on Monday.
The Independent National Electoral Commission on Sunday declared Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) the winner of the Saturday Edo governorship polls.
However, Damagun said that the party was firmed to retrieve the mandate with every means legal and available in a democracy.
He said in spite of the intimidation and manipulations, results obtained from the polling units showed that PDP candidate, Asue Ighodalo, clearly won the election before the figures were allegedly altered.
Said he: “The PDP therefore unequivocally rejects the final result of the Edo governorship election as declared by INEC.
“The election did not meet the minimum standard for democracy having not reflected the expressed will and aspiration of the people in line with provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022 and INEC Guidelines for State Governorship election”.
Damagum called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to within the time stipulated by Section 65 of the Electoral Act, 2022 review the Edo governorship election.
He further called on INEC to announce results only as obtained from the genuine votes cast at the Polling Units (PUs).
Stated Damagun: “The PDP calls on all Nigerians and lovers of democracy all over the world to stand up in solidarity with the people of Edo in rejecting this assault on the democratic rights of the people.
“The people of Edo clearly chose Asue Ighodalo as the next Governor of their state and only their will as expressed at the PUs must be allowed to stand.
“The PDP charges the people of Edo to remain resolute and undeterred as our Party takes firm steps to retrieve the mandate with every means legal and available in a democracy”.
Damagum said that from unfolding political events, the latest being the alleged rigging of the Saturday election by the APC, it was clear that the Nigeria’s democracy was under threat.
He also alleged that the State election was compromised by the APC in collusion with unpatriotic security operatives and officials of INEC, in disregard of the law and people’s will.
He recalled that the PDP had on several occasions alerted of this sinister plot to subvert the election.
The chairman said that several demands by PDP for the redeployment of those officials as well as the release of all arrested PDP members and supporters fell on deaf.
Damagum said that the action validated PDP’s suspicion of a top-level conspiracy to rig the Edo State governorship election.
He said that the PDP should still put to test once again the level of the preparedness of the judiciary to do justice where it was required.
Stressed he: “So we cannot overrule a situation whereby justice will be dispensed, but the most important thing is that we shall put them to more scrutiny before the eyes of Nigerians.
“It is said that when the judicial system does not work, then you don’t have a country”.