Edo PDP: Okpebholo has no business being governor — he can’t defend election victory

The Edo state chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) says the 2024 governorship election that brought Monday Okpebholo, governor of the state, to power was rigged.

A statement on Tuesday by Chris Nehikhare, the party’s spokesperson in the state, said Okpebholo and the All Progressive Congress (APC) are unable to defend the governor’s election victory in court.

“The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo state is the party in complete disarray, gripped by palpable tension, because they cannot defend the brazen heist of the September 21 governorship election, from which they were the sole beneficiaries,” the statement reads.

“Realizing that they cannot defend the indefensible, the APC has now resorted to outlandish propaganda, twisting facts and telling unintelligent lies in the media, in a desperate and devious attempt to mask their obvious failure and manipulate public perception.”

Nehikhare alleged that one of Okpebholo’s witness ironically admitted in court on Monday, that there were instances of over-voting during the election.

He said that no amount of delay or propaganda by APC can change the fact that the last gubanatorial election in the state was rigged.

Nehikhare added that the public awaits the judiciary to correct the wrong that was done during the election, noting that “Okpebholo has no business sitting as governor”.

“First, last week, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) abandoned its own declaration, and the very institution that declared the APC and its candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo winners, refused to defend its actions, failing to call a single witness after promising to do so,” Nehikhare said.

“Then Okpebholo, on Monday this week, left to justify his own legitimacy, called just one witness, and in a stunning twist, even that witness admitted under cross-examination that over-voting occurred.

“The APC, 3rd respondent, sensing the disaster unfolding, scrambled and pleaded for an adjournment to buy time, leading to the adjournment of the proceedings to Wednesday, February 12.

“The evidence is irrefutable: BVAS records, IREV data, and CTCs all tell the same story, the election was rigged, and Okpebholo has no business sitting as governor.”