By love-89.com PDP Women Persist in Protests Over Alleged Stolen Mandate
Adibe Emenyonu reporting from Benin City
In a continuing saga, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Edo State has once again denied the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its gubernatorial candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, access to the Bimodal Voter Authentication System (BVAS) machines and other materials related to the September 21 election. This denial comes even after a court order has been issued mandating that such access be granted.
On Monday, Ighodalo’s legal team, led by Olusegun Jolaawo, SAN, went to INEC’s headquarters in Benin City to request access to the BVAS machines, voter registers, ballot papers, and other essential election materials to substantiate their claims of electoral rigging. However, they were turned away despite presenting the court order.
This request was based on a court-enrolled order dated September 29, 2024, signed by Mu’azu Ibrahim Bagudu, Esq., secretary of the Edo State governorship election tribunal, and Honourable Justice W. I. Kpochi, the tribunal chair. The order required INEC to provide a detailed inventory of all electoral materials in its possession for Ighodalo and the PDP to inspect and obtain certified copies.
Although the legal team was unable to meet with the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), INEC officials advised them to return on Tuesday, October 8, suggesting they would need to secure permission from Abuja first. Yet again, their access was denied.
In light of these developments, Edo State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Osa Nehikhare, criticized INEC for what he termed “delay tactics,” claiming they were acting in collusion with the All Progressives Congress (APC) to hinder justice and thwart the PDP’s attempts to reclaim what he called a stolen mandate. “We know there’s a covert strategy to frustrate the PDP’s appeal and ensure the petition is not filed before the Saturday deadline,” Nehikhare said.
He further alleged that the APC was considering an arson attack on the INEC office to destroy the BVAS machines and other electoral materials, aiming to eliminate evidence of electoral fraud. Nehikhare urged law enforcement to protect the INEC office from potential attacks and ensure the court order is upheld, allowing the PDP to inspect the electoral materials.
Amidst all this, the women’s wing of the Edo State PDP has pledged to continue their peaceful protests regarding the alleged stolen governorship mandate until it is rightfully restored. Dressed in black and holding placards, the women marched through the streets of Benin City, culminating their demonstration at the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Edo State Council.
Speaking to reporters outside the NUJ state office, spokesperson for the women, Stella Okoro, a former chairperson of Esan West Local Government Council, expressed profound disappointment over the recent election results. She insisted that Ighodalo was the legitimately elected candidate whose mandate was undermined.
“We are here at NUJ to express our grief and anger over our stolen mandate. We demand its return,” Okoro stated. “We are not lions or tigers; we are voters. The people of Edo supported Asue Ighodalo, and as mothers, we are mourning, dressed in black, and demanding the return of our mandate.”
“Those who seek to take what does not belong to them are strong in their resolve. But we stand firm in saying no. It is our mandate. We call on INEC, the police, and the soldiers who intimidated us and conspired against us. They embarrassed our sons and daughters before the election,” Okoro declared passionately.