Edo 2024: PDP Urges Vigilance As Counting Progresses

By Ayodele Oni

As results of the Saturday’s governorship election in Edo state are being awaited, a coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room (NCSSR), has observed voter inducement at polling units (PUs) in the Saturday governorship election in Edo State.

“Situation Room observers reported widespread instances of blatant vote buying and selling across several polling units, despite the huge presence of security personnel.”

The group said in a statement co-signed by Yunusa Z. Ya’u, Mimidoo Achakpa and Franklin Oloniju.

“The price of votes ranged from ₦5,000 to ₦10,000 per voter in several locations, including PU08 and 09 Ward 2, Owan-East LGA; PU 02 Ward 2, Etsako-West LGA; and several polling units in Egor, Oredo and Owan-West LGAs.

“In some cases, voters were also induced with food items such as bread,” the group said.

The group, however, acknowledged the arrest of the alleged two vote traders in George Idah Primary School, Ward 2, Oredo Local Government Area.

This is just as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) directed its members and supporters in Edo State to follow the results of the Ed governorship election from the Polling Units to the Ward, Local Government and State Collation Centers.

According to the party, this is to prevent any manipulation or alteration by the All Progressives Congress (APC).

PDP spokesman, Debo Ologunagba stated that “Our Party demands that INEC ensures that all results as announced at the Polling Units are transparently uploaded to the  Server and duly declared at the Collation Centers in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022 and INEC Guidelines for the Edo State governorship election.

“The PDP counsels the APC to respect the Will of the people of Edo State as expressed at the Polling Units.

“The PDP commends the people of Edo State for their resilience in enforcing their Will at the Polling Units despite the schemes of the APC and charges them to remain at alert in readiness to firmly defend their votes as they await the declaration of the final result heralding our victory.”

Signed:

Hon. Debo Ologunagba
National Publicity Secretary