Edo PDP Accuses APC of Disarray Amid Election Tribunal Drama

The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its governorship candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, of being in a state of “complete disarray” as they struggle to defend alleged electoral malpractice in the September 21 governorship election.

In a statement released on Tuesday, Chris Nehikhare, the Publicity Secretary of the Edo PDP Caretaker Committee, stated, “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 attempt to mask their obvious failure and manipulate public perception.”

Nehikhare pointed out that even the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which had declared Okpebholo as the winner of the election, had abandoned its position, failing to present a witness to defend its declaration. “Last week, INEC, the very institution that announced the APC and its candidate as winners, refused to defend its actions. After promising to do so, they failed to call a single witness,” Nehikhare remarked.

He also noted that Okpebholo’s legal team suffered a major setback when their sole witness admitted under cross-examination that over-voting had occurred during the election. “Rattled and humiliated, his lawyers abruptly shut down their own defense, running from the tribunal in full retreat,” Nehikhare alleged.

As the situation unfolded, the APC, sensing trouble, requested an adjournment, prompting the tribunal to reschedule proceedings for Wednesday, February 12. Nehikhare accused the APC of engaging in media manipulation instead of addressing the legal challenge directly. “Instead of re-examining their losing legal strategy, the APC and their handlers have embarked on a voyage into the world of fantasy, aggressively sponsoring false narratives in the media and telling a completely different story from what actually transpired in court,” he said.

The PDP spokesman further emphasized that the tribunal’s records offered irrefutable evidence of electoral fraud, citing BVAS records, IREV data, and certified true copies (CTCs) as clear indicators that the election was rigged. “The evidence is clear—the election was rigged, and Okpebholo has no business sitting as governor,” he insisted.

Nehikhare expressed confidence that the judiciary would correct the “stolen mandate” and restore victory to the PDP’s candidate, Asue Ighodalo. “Nigerians cannot be deceived by unintelligent lies and cheap propaganda. The people witnessed the electoral robbery firsthand and are keenly following the tribunal’s proceedings. They are eagerly awaiting the judiciary to correct the wrong that was done on September 21, 2024.”

With the tribunal’s next hearing set for February 12, the legal battle over the Edo governorship election remains intense, as both parties prepare for the next phase of the proceedings.