The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has rejected the results announced by
the Independent National Eclectoral Commission, INEC, at the just
concluded Edo State Governorship election, describing it as fake and not a
reflection of results announced at various Units and Wards in the state.
The party in a statement accused outgoing Governor Adams Oshiomhole of
using state apparatus to collude with INEC and Security agencies to rig
the election in favor of the All Progressive Congress, APC.
STATEMENT
The PDP in Edo State, after carefully reviewing the events of yesterday
September 28th, 2016, totally rejects the purported outcome of the voting
exercise and the results announced by INEC.
Firstly, we are in total amazement at the details of the results released
by INEC because all of them are fake and not the figures announced at
various units and as collated at various wards across the state. The fake
results announced by INEC are entirely a fabrication which do not reflect
the true picture of what transpired during the election. However, we are
not totally surprised because long before now, we had anticipated this and
had also warned INEC, security agencies and alerted Edo people at various
press conferences and statements, on this situation.
Secondly, based on the results emanating from across the state, PDP won
the election fair and square, and with a very comfortable margin. So it is
with disgust that we have been receiving fake results which were never
recorded in either the units or the ward
collation centers.
Our rejection of the results released by INEC so far is based on, but not
limited to, the following
1. We know that a fair turnout of voters was recorded statewide because
the weather was very clement and voters were enthusiastic. However,
unknown to unsuspecting Edo electorate, INEC had long provided the serial
numbers of all result sheets to Adams Oshiomole and his APC government, to
print fresh result sheets. This is not a mere allegation. From the benefit
of hindsight, the 18day period of postponement of the election was to
provide enough time for the Governor and his government to print these
result sheets and perfect the writing of fake results at the units and at
all levels of collation. This scenario is further buttressed by the fact
that on Monday September 26th, 2016, when election materials arrived from
the CBN at INEC state office for inspection, agents of the political
parties including the APC and PDP were given pre-typed copies of the
serial numbers of all result sheets and the ballot papers. This was a
clear security breach and an infringement on the credibility of the
process, as these are sensitive materials, which should not have been
sighted even by INEC officers.
2. Everything that has transpired had been carefully designed by the Adams
Oshiomole led Edo State government and their cohorts in INEC. They
perfected a scheme to void thousands of ballot papers, to enable them
perpetrate their devices. It is widely recorded that over 88% of the
voided ballots were PDP votes.
3. Postings of Commissioners of Police and and removal of officers from
their units, even during the voting exercise, was a clear plot to
destabilize the security apparatus in various LGAs and Senatorial
districts. The same goes for the DSS personnel across
the state.
4. Choice of collation from places they chose as well as the choice of the
state returning officer, in the person of a close friend and associate of
former Governors Fayemi and Niyi Adebayo of Ekiti State, who are top APC
chieftains. They also prevented our agents in many cases from entering
collation centers.
5. There are numerous accounts and records of Police harassment all over
the state, designed to strike fear in the hearts of PDP members, using men
of the CIB (Criminal Investigation Department), SARS, MOPOL 60 Command,
DSS and other security agencies. Of particular concern is the atrocious
gangsterism demonstrated in Etsako West, the home of the incumbent APC
Governor and the deputy governor nominee, where many of our members and
agents were assaulted, almost mortally, and some still being detained as
we speak. Those still detained include Michael Etu, Gabriel Etu and
Mohammed Sani. Also, a Honda Accord vehicle, with registration number FST
868 BC, belonging to one of our stalwarts was destroyed, and is still
lying at the voting center. There is also the widely reported and recorded
case of collation center disruption in Oredo local government, by the
notorious Osakpamwan Eriyo, who invaded the venue and released shots in
the air, chasing away supporters and people, before making away with the
results. This happened in the full glare of the Police, DSS, INEC and
other security personnel. Interestingly, neither INEC nor the Police
showed any concern or any resistance, even as we speak.
6. It is on record that the level of open financial inducements was
unprecedented and indigent voters were being offered between N2,000 and
N5,000 to cast their votes, and also forced to display their ballot
prints. Numerous videos were posted on social media showing APC members
handing out monies to voters, in the full glare of INEC and security
officers.
7. Deliberate connivance with INEC staff to steal materials and results in
various wards. We particularly take note of materials stolen at Ologbo,
Ikpoba Okha, Nikorogha, Ovia South West, Urhonigbe in Orhionmwon, Udaba in
Etsako Central, Opoji in Esan Central
and many others.
To put it mildly, Edo 2016 has turned out to be a travesty of our
democracy, and it is calamitous that in spite of all the atrocities
committed by APC, nothing happened to thugs like Osakpamwan Eriyo who went
to George Idah Primary school in Oredo Local government area, to snatch
results in the full glare of the Police, SSS and INEC officials. Shooting,
chasing and scaring away voters, and even international observers, is
nothing short of a bastardisation of our hard earned democracy.
A few days ago, we mentioned in a press statement, that Adams Oshiomole
boasted openly, how he had prepared results already for the election,
which will be announced, and PDP can go to court. It has been executed
today, but the will of Edo people will never be subverted by Adams
Oshiomole and his cohorts. We will do everything within the law to claim
our mandate. In the words of Plato, the penalty we pay for refusing to
participate in politics, and to exercise our right, is that we end up
being governed and oppressed by evil men. This impunity must end in Edo
State!
Signed
Chris Osa Nehikhare
Publicity Secretary
PDP Edo State