Victor EzejaAsue Ighodalo the People Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the Edo State governorship election held on Saturday, 21 September has commended his supporters for believing in his vision for the development of the state and their uncommon dedication during campaigns.
He described his supporters as “true heroes of our democracy”, adding that the sacrifices they made for a better Edo State will not be forgotten.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelAccording to him, they took all kinds of risks, including defying the rain on the election day, facing intimidation, threats of violence, harassment, and arrest, all to ensure that he won the election in a free and fair process.
“I would like to particularly thank the good people of Edo State who defied the rain, intimidation, threats of violence, harassment, arrests, and financial inducements to cast their votes for us overwhelmingly last Saturday, 21st September 2024. You are the true heroes of our democracy, and your sacrifices for a better Edo State will never be forgotten,” Ighodalo said in a statement on Monday.
He claimed that his mandate was brazenly stolen, adding that it was a shameful subversion of the will of voters.
Prime Business Africa reports that the PDP candidate and 15 others were defeated in the Saturday’s governorship election by candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Monday Okpebholo.
According to results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Senator Okpebholo scored 291,667 votes against Mr Ighodalo, who polled 247,274 votes. The candidate of the Labour Party, Olumide Akpata, came third with 22,763 votes.
He said what happened in the state during the governorship election “will forever be etched in our history as one of our darkest moments, marked by the brazen theft of our mandate and the shameful subversion of the will of the people.”
READ ALSO: #EdoDecides2024: Ighodalo Wins His Polling Unit
He however, urged his supporters not to be discouraged in the face of this challenge, adding that “the illusory triumph of evil over good is only temporary.”
The PDP governorship candidate said his aspiration was not based on a love for power but due to “a genuine desire to serve the people and create a Pathway to Prosperity for All in Edo State.”
He highlighted how he visited every ward and local government area in the state and shared his message about how to move the state forward.
“Together, we ran a great campaign, and your overwhelming support was evident in the ballots before our progress was unjustly halted on September 21, 2024, by people who do not mean well for you or for our state
“Our journey towards a prosperous Edo State does not end here; it is just beginning. Let us remain engaged, committed, and united in our collective resolve to create a pathway to prosperity for all in Edo State.
“You did not abandon me during our campaign and I promise you that as we face a daunting and uncertain future together, I will not abandon you,” Ighodalo added.
Speaking earlier in an interview with BBC on Sunday, Ighodalo described the election as “the worst in the history of the country,” adding that there were cases of over-voting in some parts of the state.
“You see results being thrown up, where the total result is much more than the total number of accredited voters,” he stated.
He cited an example of a polling unit where the total number of accredited voters was 156 but the declared result gave the APC 2110 votes and 57 votes for the PDP. He added that similar things happened in about 50 units and the APC was the beneficiary of the manipulation.
He further alleged that there were manipulations in the election results and INEC. was complicit.
“We see clear manipulation. I have always said this; manipulation cannot happen except there is complicity and connivance by INEC,” Ighodalo said.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
