THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the Edo State governorship election held on September 21, 2024, Asue Ighodalo, has alleged that his victory was stolen and the will of the electorate was undermined during the election.
In a statement following the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) declaration of Monday Okpebholo from the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner, Ighodalo remarked, “That day will be forever remembered as one of our darkest moments, defined by the blatant theft of our mandate and the disgraceful subversion of the people’s will.”
Ighodalo, who came second with 247,274 votes, trailed behind the APC candidate, who secured 291,667 votes. Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party (LP) came third with 22,763 votes.
Despite the outcome, Ighodalo landed his supporters, stating, “You are the true champions of our democracy, and your efforts for a better Edo State will always be remembered.”
He also noted that their “overwhelming support was clear in the ballots, before our progress was unjustly derailed on September 21, 2024, by those who do not have the best interests of you or our state at heart.”