The Labour Party caucus in the House of Representatives has rejected the results of Saturday’s Edo State gubernatorial election, in which Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress candidate was declared the winner.
Prof. Faruk Kuta, the Returning Officer for the Independent National Electoral Commission, had on Sunday announced that Okpebholo received 291,667 votes overall, surpassing the total votes cast for Asue Ighodalo and Olumide Akpata of the Peoples Democratic Party and LP, who received 247,274 and 22,763 votes, respectively.
Speaking to reporters at the National Assembly Complex on Wednesday, House Deputy Minority Whip George Ozodinobi denounced the exercise and said that the party’s candidate was rigged out on behalf of the other thirty-two members elected on the LP platform.
He said, “The Labour Party presented the best candidate in the election, who was brazenly rigged out of the process. Our candidate, Olumide Akpata, a renowned legal professional and former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, 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, Peter Obi, campaigned vigorously for our gubernatorial candidate in every nook and cranny of the state.
“Of course, the whole world witnessed the massive crowd that the Obedient 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 members. This is very grateful to the perpetrators of this crime.
“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, among others.”
Ozodinobi faulted INEC officials including security operatives for the alleged election rigging.
“This criminal enterprise aided by some elements of the state including security agents and even officials of the electoral umpire must be nipped in the bud and must not be allowed to be replicated in any future election.
“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, is the highest theft of the season. The electorate was robbed of their votes and their will and wishes 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.”
While urging INEC to do the needful, the lawmaker said “To address these concerns and ensure the integrity of future elections, particularly the 2027 polls, followers of Obi are set to change the nation’s political trajectory in no distant time.
“The Obi-dient Movement tsunami is coming as 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.
“We stand in solidarity with the people of Edo State and reassure them that we will continue to fight for their rights and interests,” he added.
However, Ozodinobi urged Nigerians to be patient, adding that the party would soon take action with evidence to back up their claim.