A pro-democracy group, the Initiative for Democratic Advancement and Free Speech, has called on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State to accept the results of the September 21 governorship election and refrain from using media propaganda to influence public opinion.
In the election, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Monday Okpebholo, secured 291,667 votes, defeating PDP’s Asue Ighodalo, who garnered 247,274 votes. Despite the results, the PDP has raised allegations of fraud and vowed to challenge the outcome in court.
In a statement on Monday, the group’s executive director, Patrick Osaigbovo, criticized the PDP for relying on partisan groups disguised as election observers to question the results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“These so-called observer groups have overstepped their mandate by publicly opposing the results declared by INEC,” Osaigbovo stated, adding that their role is limited to observing and offering recommendations to the electoral body. He stressed that only INEC has the authority to monitor and declare election results in Nigeria.
“The PDP should stop pursuing baseless claims and focus on preparing for the 2028 election,” Osaigbovo added.
In response, Reverend Olu Martins, Deputy Director-General of Media for the PDP Campaign Council, dismissed the accusations, stating, “The election observers are well-established in the system and have been consistent in monitoring election processes. Many concluded that the elections were free and fair at the polling units.”
