PDP Warns Against Election Rigging Ahead of Edo State Governorship Polls

Barely a week before the Edo State governorship election, the national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has issued a stern warning to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), pledging to defend its candidate’s votes “with blood” against any form of electoral malpractice.

During the grand finale of the party’s campaign rally in Benin City, the Acting National Chairman of the PDP, Ambassador Umar Damagun, made this bold declaration, warning INEC to avoid announcing election results in the dead of night.

“We are urging INEC not to engage in any form of midnight results announcement. We will be vigilant, and we will make sure that such practices do not occur,” Damagun said.

He further emphasised that the party’s stance was not merely a threat but a serious commitment to ensuring that the will of the people is respected.

In his address, Damagun made it clear that the PDP would resist any attempt to manipulate the outcome of the election. “We are very serious, and we will defend our votes with our blood and everything we have,” he stated.

He called on security agencies to maintain neutrality, providing a fair playing field for all political parties involved in the election.

Damagun stressed that if security agencies favoured any political party, the PDP would be prepared to make sacrifices, saying, “If you decide to take sides in favour of any political party, you must be ready to kill or arrest all of us.

We will stand by our party, and we are ready to defend our votes with our lives.”

He further implored security personnel to fulfil their duty to protect all Nigerians, ensuring that justice prevails and that all citizens are safe during the election period.

Damagun warned that the upcoming governorship election would serve as a test for Nigeria’s democracy.

He called on Nigerians to take the election seriously, insisting that the PDP would not accept anything less than a credible, fair, and free election.

According to him, any attempts by INEC to conduct an election that does not meet these standards could result in anarchy.

“The election in Edo State is a critical one for our democracy. We must ensure it is credible. Failure to do so will have dire consequences,” Damagun concluded.

Similarly, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, the Chairman of the National Campaign Council for the Edo 2024 Governorship Election, echoed Damagun’s sentiments. Speaking at the same event, the Adamawa State Governor warned against any form of electoral compromise.

He declared that the PDP would not tolerate any intimidation or manipulation that would work against their candidate, Barrister Asue Ighodalo.

Fintiri, who described Edo as a historical hub of civilisation and intellectualism in Nigeria, urged the electorate to show up en masse on election day to support the PDP’s candidate.

He reiterated the party’s readiness to defend its mandate and ensure a fair contest.

The PDP governorship candidate, Barrister Asue Ighodalo, took the stage after receiving the party’s flag.

He vowed to build on the achievements of outgoing Governor Godwin Obaseki if elected. Ighodalo acknowledged the challenges ahead but expressed confidence in the resilience of his party, citing the tough electoral battles previously fought by PDP governors.

“All our PDP governors had to fight battles to win their elections. None of them got it easy. This demonstrates that the PDP is a party of courage and resilience.

My running mate and I will fight the same battle to ensure we win this election,” Ighodalo said.

The candidate’s message resonated with the crowd, as he promised to continue the policies of Governor Obaseki and lead Edo State to further development.

As the election day approaches, the PDP has drawn its battle lines, vowing to resist any attempts at rigging or manipulation.

With heightened tension and pledges of resistance, the stage is set for a highly charged governorship election in Edo State.