Kehinde Fajobi
The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has officially filed a petition to challenge the results of the September 21 governorship election.
Speaking at a press conference in Benin on Monday, the party’s state chairman, Tony Aziegbemi, confirmed that the petition was filed on Saturday, just before the deadline, despite facing significant hurdles.
Aziegbemi accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of attempting to obstruct the PDP’s right to contest the election at the tribunal. However, he reassured party supporters that their efforts to reclaim the “stolen mandate” had begun and urged the people of Edo to remain optimistic.
“We have filed our petition before the election tribunal on your behalf. I assure you that the journey to reclaim our mandate has started, and by God’s grace, we will retrieve it,” Aziegbemi declared.
He criticised INEC for allegedly delaying the release of crucial electoral documents needed for the tribunal, saying, “Despite INEC behaving like the political wing of the APC, we were still able to meet the deadline.”
Addressing allegations that the PDP disrupted the inspection of electoral materials at INEC’s office, Aziegbemi firmly rejected the claims, asking, “Why would we disrupt a process that we applied for and were granted permission by the court to carry out?”
He also highlighted the arrest of more PDP members after the election, alleging that individuals accused in connection with the killing of Inspector Akor Onuh had been released after paying a ₦64 million bail.
“More of our members have been wrongfully arrested on false allegations of killing SP Akor. It’s shocking how low the police can go under this IGP, who seems to be acting as the armed wing of the APC,” Aziegbemi added.
The PDP’s petition marks the start of what is expected to be a closely watched legal battle over the governorship election result in Edo State.