In a fiery press briefing held on September 23, 2024, the Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum, voiced strong discontent over the conduct and outcome of the September 21 Edo State Governorship election. Addressing the press, Damagum condemned the election as a brazen assault on Nigeria’s democracy, accusing the All Progressives Congress (APC) of orchestrating widespread electoral fraud in collusion with compromised security forces and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“Our Democracy is Under Siege”
Ambassador Damagum began by expressing deep concern for the future of democracy in Nigeria. “From the unfolding political events in the country, the latest being the blatant rigging of the Edo State Governorship election by the APC, it is clear that our democracy is under siege,” he declared. He condemned the alleged actions of security operatives and INEC officials who, according to him, “viciously trampled on the votes of the people in defiance of the law and in total disregard of the sovereign will of the people of Edo State.”
Sinister Plot Exposed
Damagum highlighted what he described as a “sinister plot” orchestrated by the APC in collaboration with key security officials and electoral officers. He cited the roles allegedly played by AIG Zone 7 Benneth Igwe, Edo State Commissioner of Police Nemo Edwin-Iwo, and the appointment of Dr. Anugbum Onuoha, a known APC sympathizer, as the Edo State Resident Electoral Commissioner.
“Our demands for the redeployment of these biased officials, as well as the release of detained PDP members and supporters, were met with stony silence, further validating our suspicions of a high-level conspiracy to rig the election,” Damagum stated.
PDP Supporters Harassed and Intimidated
The PDP Chairman recounted how, on election day, security forces aligned with the APC reportedly unleashed a wave of terror on PDP supporters. “Nigerians and the world watched in horror as APC-compromised security operatives harassed, arrested, and detained PDP members while APC thugs brazenly manipulated the ballot process,” he recounted.
According to Damagum, APC agents and INEC officials fraudulently substituted genuine polling unit results with fictitious figures during the collation process, transferring a victory clearly won by the PDP’s candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, to the APC’s Monday Okpebholo.
Firm in his position, Damagum announced the PDP’s outright rejection of the declared results, stating: “The final result announced by INEC does not meet the minimum standards of democracy. It fails to reflect the expressed will and aspiration of the people as enshrined in the Electoral Act 2022 and INEC guidelines.”
The PDP called on INEC to immediately review the election results within the time frame stipulated by Section 65 of the Electoral Act, demanding that only the true results from polling units be announced.
In a rallying cry to all Nigerians, Damagum urged citizens and democrats worldwide to stand in solidarity with the people of Edo State. “The people of Edo State clearly chose Dr. Asue Ighodalo as their governor. We must ensure that their will, as expressed at the polling units, is upheld,” he said.
He concluded by encouraging the people of Edo State to remain resolute and undeterred, assuring them that the PDP would pursue all legal avenues to reclaim their stolen mandate.
With tensions running high and the PDP determined to challenge the outcome of the Edo State Governorship election, all eyes now turn to INEC’s response and the legal battles that may follow.
“Our Democracy Will Not Be Silenced.”
PIONEER NEWS 