Key leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) staged a protest at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Aduwawa, expressing their dissatisfaction with the outcome of the recent governorship election in Edo State. The protest, led by prominent party figures, called for the restoration of what they claim is the people’s stolen mandate.
Among the protest leaders were the Edo State PDP Chairman, Dr. Anthony Aziegbemi, the Director General of the Asue/Ogie Campaign Organization, Mathew Iduoriyekemwen, and the Deputy Director General (Media and Publicity), Rev. Olu Martins. The party leaders alleged that INEC tampered with the election results, which they claim were in favor of the PDP candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo.
Protesters, holding placards with various inscriptions, demanded that INEC declare Ighodalo as the rightful winner of the September 21st governorship election. The demonstration, which caused significant disruption to traffic along the Auchi-Benin expressway, saw hundreds of PDP supporters singing solidarity songs.
Addressing the crowd, Dr. Aziegbemi accused INEC and the police of manipulating the election results in favor of the opposing party. He urged the commission to rectify the alleged irregularities by immediately declaring Ighodalo as the legitimate winner.
“If we had lost in a free and fair election, we would have congratulated the winners. But since our mandate was stolen, we can’t stand by quietly,” Aziegbemi stated. He further called on the judiciary to ensure fairness in the ongoing legal proceedings regarding the election, expressing confidence in reclaiming what he described as the party’s rightful victory.
The protest reflects the PDP’s determination to challenge the election results and demand justice through legal means.
