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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has raised an alarm over an alleged plan by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to use armed thugs to disrupt the collation of results for the Edo State Governorship election.According to the PDP, the APC is attempting to halt the collation process in a bid to manipulate results already uploaded from polling units, where PDP candidate Dr. Asue Ighodalo is reportedly in the lead.In a statement released by PDP National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, the party claimed to have received intelligence indicating that the APC is pressuring the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the state’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) to suspend the collation process.
This suspension, the PDP alleges, would allow the APC to alter the results on the INEC portal and replace them with fabricated figures.Furthermore, the PDP claims the APC is lobbying the military to withdraw from strategic positions, which would enable APC-aligned thugs to disrupt the collation process.The PDP strongly cautioned both INEC and the APC to respect the will of the Edo electorate, warning that any attempts to tamper with the election results could lead to violent consequences.
Part of the statement read: ”The PDP in very strong terms cautions INEC and the APC to note that the people of Edo State already have authentic results from the Polling Units across the State and that any attempt by anybody or group whatsoever to alter the results will inflame the already charged situation with very severe consequences on perpetrators.”INEC must not lose sight of the violent protest that trailed the criminal attempt by the former Adamawa State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mallam Hudu Ari to alter the outcome of the 2023 Governorship election in that State which nearly led to the death of some INEC officials.
INEC and the APC must note that any attempt to change the results of the Edo State governorship election will provoke worse consequences as the people have indicated their readiness to use every means allowed in a democracy including legitimate physical confrontation, if necessary to protect their votes.”The party also urged Edo citizens to stay at the collation centres to monitor the process, ensuring that their votes are respected.It praised the military for its professionalism so far and called on the Military High Command to resist any pressure from the APC to abandon their posts.
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