EDO: Poll was for the highest bidder – LP’s Olumide Akpata

Citing YIAGA Africa, a prominent civil society and election observer group, Akpata revealed in a statement today that the election was reduced to a marketplace, where votes were traded for the highest price.

His statement came just hours after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner.

Akpata, who finished third behind the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Asue Ighodalo, lamented that vote-buying and low voter turnout “effectively disenfranchised the people of Edo State.”

He acknowledged that while the election avoided historical malpractices such as ballot box snatching and stuffing, it was marred by voter intimidation and result manipulation.

“We witnessed one of the lowest voter turnouts in recent years, reflecting the growing apathy among the people,” Akpata noted. “This disengagement contributed to the unfortunate outcome we now face.”

He further accused the PDP and APC of turning the election into “a transaction” through vote-buying, adding that the low voter turnout made it easier for the two dominant parties to secure the majority of the available votes.

“What took place on September 21, 2024, was not an election but a transaction,” Akpata declared. “It was made possible by those who stayed away, allowing the dominant parties to buy the few votes available, and by those who chose to sell their votes.”

He expressed gratitude to his supporters for their dedication, saying, “The journey to true democracy is often long and challenging, but we must continue together in the fight for good governance, transparency, and accountability. We must stay vigilant, engaged, and committed to the ideals that will lead our state and nation forward.”