Onyekachi Eze 
Governors elected on the platform of the Peopleys Democratic Party (PDP) have called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to live up to the oath of office of its principal officers, amid the declaration of Saturday’s Edo governorship election.
The governors reminded the commission of the promise to the people of Edo State, to serve as impartial umpire committed to deepening the nation’s multi party democracy.
The Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Bala Mohammed, in a statement, advised INEC to respect the sovereign wishes of the people of Edo State “and spare the nation the unpredictable consequences of a disputed result at this time.”
Mohammed who is also Bauchi State governor, described as mischievous, the accusation by the All Progressives Congress (APC) that the Adamawa State governor Ahmadu Fintiri, usurped INEC’s responsibility.
He stated that the result of a few local government areas Governor Fintiri presented were already collated and captured on the INEC IREV portal.
According to him, the presentation was “with a view to forestalling any manipulation by unscrupulous elements and, ultimately, averting a situation that could throw the exercise into disrepute and the nation into political jeopardy.”
The governor warned of subjecting Nigeria to a state capture by Bola Tinubu-led APC government
“The PDPGF unequivocally reiterates its commitment to democratic best practices, and the peace and stability of a united Nigeria in which the citizens are not only spared the contrived ordeal of the moment but, more importantly, provided alternative opportunities to realise their legitimate dreams,” he stated.
PDP also defended Governor Finitri, and said the result he presented showed that the party’s candidate Asue Ighodalo, won the Edo governorship.
The party in a statement by the National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba, said the attack on him by the APC was attempt to cover its manipulations of the result of the election.
“As Governor Fintiri presented, the results collated from the polling units have Asue Ighodalo in clear lead before the state collation exercise was hijacked by the APC which, in connivance of some unscrupulous INEC and security officials, engaged in blatant alteration and substitution of the genuine results with fabricated figures in favour of the defeated APC candidate,” PDP stated.
It warned INEC not to announce “any result that does not reflect the will of the people as expressed at the polling units.
“Such will be a recipe for a huge crisis in the state as the people of Edo State will never allow their mandate in illegitimate hands.”
