The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the recent Edo State governorship election, Asue Ighodalo, has alleged that his mandate was stolen in the September 21, 2024 poll.
In a statement released after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner, Ighodalo expressed his disappointment with the election outcome.
“That day 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,” Ighodalo said.
The PDP candidate finished second with 247,274 votes, trailing behind Okpebholo’s 291,667 votes. Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party (LP) came in third with 22,763 votes.
Despite the setback, Ighodalo praised his supporters, calling them “the true heroes of our democracy.”
He added, “Your sacrifices for a better Edo State will never be forgotten.”
The candidate also highlighted the challenges faced by voters during the election.
“You defied the rains, intimidation, threats of violence, harassment, arrests and financial inducements to cast your votes for us, overwhelmingly, last Saturday, 21st September 2024,” he said.
Ighodalo emphasized that his campaign was driven by a genuine desire to serve the people of Edo State.
“My aspiration was not borne out of the love for power but a genuine desire to serve the people and create a Pathway to Prosperity for All in Edo State,” he stated.
Looking ahead, the PDP candidate urged his supporters not to lose hope.
“The illusory triumph of evil over good is only temporary,” Ighodalo said, encouraging continued engagement and commitment to the state’s prosperity.
