By Ken Chiwendu
In fulfilment of its threat to seek Justice over what it called ” stealing of its mandate by the All Progressives Congress APC,the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has filed a petition against the conduct and declaration of the September 21 Governorship Election in Edo by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The state Chairman of the party,Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, made this known Monday while addressing journalists in Benin City, the Edo State capital.
Aziegbemi who described the election as the “Darkest Day of Edo State” however, said that the journey to reclaim the mandate has begun with the petition to the Tribunal.
“We know many of you and indeed Edolites would have been wondering why we have not engaged you after the saddest day in the history of Edo State.
“The stealing of your mandate and right to freely choose who will govern you in the next 4 years after the spectacular performance of our amiable Governor Godwin Obaseki.
“Let me on behalf of the PDP express our heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to all Edolites that came out en masse on the 21st of September, 2024 to cast your votes for the PDP in spite of the unprecedented militarization and financial inducement by the APC”.
“We are here to let you know that your vote will eventually count. You stared at the barrel of the gun, took their (our) money (in most cases fifteen thousand per vote) and voted for the PDP”
He added “The unthinkable then happened, Your votes were discarded. You were violated, they thought that they could silence your choice. That will not happen. We are going to be with you all the way.
“We have filed our petition before the Election Tribunal on your behalf. I assure you that the journey to reclaim our mandate has begun and by the grace of God, your mandate will be returned,”
Recall that INEC declared Monday Okpebholo, the candidate of the APC winner in the election having polled the highest votes and satisfied the requirements of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The candidate of the PDP,Asue Ighodalo was placed second white the candidate of the Labour party, Barrister Olumide Akpata placed distant third.
