LP reps: Akpata was rigged out of Edo governorship election

The Labour Party (LP) caucus in the house of representatives has alleged that the Edo governorship election was rigged.

On Sunday, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Monday Okpebholo, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as the winner of the election.

The electoral body said Okpebholo secured 291,667 votes to defeat his closest challenger, Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who got 247,274 votes.

Olumide Akpata, candidate of the LP, came a distant third with 22,763 votes.

The PDP and LP have rejected the outcome of the election.

Briefing journalists on Wednesday, George Ozodinobi, leader of the caucus, said the election outcome “does not reflect the true will of the people” of the state.

Ozodinobi, who was flanked by his colleagues, said the party presented the best candidate in the election, adding that Akpata was “brazenly rigged out of the process”.

He said Akpata “garnered significant support from the electorate but enemies of democracy thwarted his efforts and excellent standing in the election”.

“It is on record that our leader and presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, his excellency Peter Obi, campaigned vigorously for our gubernatorial candidate in every nook and cranny of the state,” the caucus said.

“Of course, the whole world witnessed the massive crowd that the Obidient movement pulled wherever he went during the campaign, yet chief Akpata was allocated paltry votes in a state where LP just about a year and seven months ago had one senator and two house of rep members.

“We are deeply concerned over the irregularities and alleged malpractices that marred the electoral process, ranging from vote buying by the so-called big parties, intimidation of voters, mass thumb-printing of ballot papers and pre-writing and alteration of election results.”

The legislators alleged that the rigging was aided by some state actors, including security agents and officials of the electoral umpire.

“This must be nipped in the bud and must not be allowed to be replicated in any future election,” the caucus said.

“Nigeria deserves a transparent electoral process devoid of any form of interference from agents of the state or any external force.

“To us, what transpired in Edo state on September 21, 2024 in the name of governorship election is the highest theft of the season. The electorate was clearly robbed of their votes, and their will and wishes were dashed.

“We want to state without mincing words that the Labour Party is committed to democratic principles and will not stand idly by while the rights of our citizens are trampled upon.”

The lawmakers asked INEC to ensure that the integrity of future elections is protected, particularly the 2027 polls.

“Obidient movement tsunami is coming, no person born of a woman will stop us. The commission must work tirelessly to prevent similar discrepancies and uphold the sanctity of the electoral process,” the caucus added.