Leaders and participants of the Peoples Democratic Birthday celebration in Edo Climate, on Wednesday, marched to the workplace of the Isolated Nationwide Electoral Fee in Benin to protest in opposition to the end result of the September 21 governorship election within the condition.
INEC declared the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Senator Monday Okpebholo, winner of the election.
The electoral frame mentioned Okpebholo polled 291,667 to defeat the PDP candidate, Asue Ighodalo, who polled 247,274 votes.
However the PDP has since uninvited the ballot effects, which it alleged had been manipulated.
On Wednesday, PDP participants and leaders took to the streets of Benin bearing banners with inscriptions akin to “INEC sack Edo REC”; “INEC give us our mandate,” amongst others.
A few of them had been heard chanting:“Oshiomhole, Tinubu give us our mandate.”
On the other hand, safety businesses had been on secure to assure the protesters didn’t get too akin to INEC workplace at Aduwawa, Benin.
However the Exposure Secretary of the Edo APC, Peter Uwadiae-Igbinigie,in an interview with our correspondent, mocked the PDP, announcing deny quantity of protest may alternate the end result of the ballot.
“The PDP can protest up to they would like however that can not alternate the results of the election. They are able to handiest means the tribunal with proof if they believe their mandate has been taken from them.
“Edo society, who don’t need the continuation of a PDP govt handed a referendum with their voter playing cards and gave the APC the mandate to lead the condition as from November 12.
“It is not about calling on President Bola Tinubu and Senator Adams Oshiomhole to give their mandate back to them. The gentlemen have nothing to do with their mandate. They can approach the tribunal to ventilate their grievances,” Uwadiae-Igbinigie.
Monday’s protest via the PDP used to be led via the Cchairman of the Edo Climate bankruptcy of the celebration, Tony Aziegbemi; the Director Common of the Asue/Ogie Marketing campaign Control Council, Mathew Iduoriyekewen; and the Deputy Director Common (Media and Exposure), Olu Martins.
Addressing the protesters, Aziegbemi referred to as on INEC to claim Ighodalo the winner of the election, alleging that INEC manipulated the result of probably the most native govt fields.
He mentioned: “We thanks serious about popping out as of late on a proceed to reclaim the mandate taken clear of us.
“If we had misplaced this election in a detached and honest tournament, we might have congratulated them however, as a result of they stole our mandate, we will be able to’t congratulate them.
“Exit and relief, as we’re going to reclaim the mandate stolen from us. We’re calling at the judiciary to have a look at our submission and be fair of their perception. That is Nigeria and we will be able to’t be robbed of our victory as we’re positive of reclaiming our stolen mandate as we can provide overwhelming proof.
“We’re positive that we can get well our mandate because the initial research we now have performed presentations that this election used to be gained obviously via Ighodalo. We will be able to provide the case to the tribunal.
“We consider that the tribunal is made up of women and men of integrity; they are going to have a look at the proof earlier than them and conclude that PDP gained the election. We’re going to the tribunal with an detectable thoughts.
“PDP is a very peaceful party, as it always preaches peace, and all along our protest, it has been violence-free and it will continue to be so.”
Talking in the similar vein, Iduoriyekewen mentioned the PDP gained the election and would proceed the protest till the mandate is given Ighodalo.
Reacting, the condition exposure secretary of the APC, Peter Uwadiae-Igbinigie, mentioned deny quantity of protest would alternate the results of the election, urging the PDP to means the tribunal if they have got convincing proof.