Members of the Labour Party in the House of Representatives have vehemently rejected the outcome of the Edo State governorship election, which saw Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) declared the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
According to INEC’s Returning Officer, Prof. Faruk Kuta, Okpebholo secured 291,667 votes, defeating his closest rivals, Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party, who received 247,274 and 22,763 votes, respectively.
At a press conference held on Wednesday at the National Assembly Complex, House Deputy Minority Whip, George Ozodinobi, representing the Labour Party’s 32 lawmakers, condemned the election process.
He asserted that the party’s candidate was unfairly rigged out of the race, calling the election exercise flawed and lacking credibility.
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 blamed INEC officials and security agents for the alleged election manipulation.
He added, “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.”
The lawmakers urged INEC to take immediate action “To address these concerns and ensure the integrity of future elections, particularly the 2027 polls,” stressing that 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.
On whether the LP caucus has evidence to prove that Akpata won the election, Ozodinobi urged Nigerians to be patient, adding that the party would soon take action on the matter.