The Senate Caucus of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has vehemently contested the outcome of the Edo State governorship election, asserting that their candidate, Asuerinme Ighodalo, was the rightful winner of the September 21 electoral contest.
Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro, speaking during a press conference at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja on Wednesday, delivered a statement challenging the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) declaration.
“Well, everybody is worried for the Nigerian democracy and INEC has taken notes here and there over the conduct of the election. But every failure is a lesson for future adventures,” Moro emphasized, indicating the party’s determination to challenge the electoral results.
While INEC officially declared Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the election winner and subsequently issued him a certificate of return, the PDP remains unequivocal in its stance of alleged mandate theft.
“We sincerely hope that we work hard like in Edo state where the mandate of the PDP was stolen. We will work hard to make sure that the people’s mandate is restored where it doesn’t happen, like I said, failure is a mechanism for future success,” Moro declared, underscoring the party’s commitment to electoral justice.
The caucus’s statement comes amid broader political dynamics, particularly in response to APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje’s assertion about potential expansion in the South-west region. Currently, APC governs four of the six South-west states, including Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, and Ekiti.
Moro addressed this political landscape directly: “The PDP has taken note of that statement, and we have a government in Osun state now, and we want to retain that position.”
Reflecting on the party’s current trajectory, Moro provided insights into the PDP’s strategic recalibration. “Damagun is the acting chairman of PDP. The PDP is not just about Damagun. The PDP is about members of the PDP. We are working round the clock to make sure that PDP gets back to its winning ways.”
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He further elaborated on the party’s perspective, acknowledging the pain of electoral defeat while maintaining an optimistic outlook. “It is painful to lose the election, no doubt about it. But as I said, it is a common axiom that if you fail today and you are able to stand up, you strategise to win tomorrow.”
“Whatever we have lost today as PDP, we are working hard, and part of the working hard is the meeting that the caucus has held today to strategise towards ensuring that we do not lose future elections, including the election in Osun state,” Moro stated..
