Edo State APC Chairman, Col David Imusue rest and State Pub Sec, Igbnigie Esq during the press briefing
* Says exercise fraudulent, sham
By Kingsley Abavo, Benin
The Edo State local Government Council election which held Saturday, 2 September, 2023 has been described as a fraud, deception and sham by the leading opposition Party; the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The outcome of the election produced all candidates of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as winners; both Chairmanship and Councillors across the 18 Council Area of the State.
In a swift reaction on Monday, the APC in a media briefing presided over by its State Chairman, Col. David Imuse retd. in Benin, the State Capital said there was no election.
“There was no local Government Council election in Edo state and so no results in any guise should be released by the umpire: ‘Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIC).
“In the same vein, there should be no attempt to swear in any person or persons as Chairman or Councillor, on the basis of the so called election.”
The Party described the exercise a shocking display of fraudulence and deception orchestrated by the Obaseki led Edo State Government, at the expense of the tax payers.
The supposed election or selection process turned out to be a sham leaving Edo citizens severely disillusioned and questioning the integrity of the EDSIEC, it continued.
As was conspicuously observed, saying EDSIEC officials refused to do their job, they were obviously absent in a majority of the polling units, the Party noted.
“And those places where they did make an appearance, ballot papers were short supplied; 100 ballots per unit irrespective of the number of registered voters in the units; there were no result sheets.”
Also, the officials of EDSIEC were absent at the collation centres of results, which renders any possibility of legitimate result tabulation null and void, the Party said.
“The deliberate absence of EDSIEC officials was at the instance of the Obaseki’s regime, who was terrified by the mass turn out of voters across the State.”
As the APC alleged the Governor had all along planned to read a prepared result with his hand picked candidates as winners, which he eventually did.
“This sad event serves as an unfortunate yet undeniable testament to the deteriorating state of governance in our State, where the EDSIEC, entrusted with the democratic process appear to be complicit in undermining it.
“It is distressing to witness such blatant disregard for the principles of democracy and the rights of Edo citizens.
“Citizens of Edo State have a right to legitimate representation and government that upholds their democratic values.”
Responding to a question by journalists, the State Chairman, Col. Imuse retd, said what happened was not only a display of abuse of power by the Obaseki’s administration; but it shows they are not even intelligent.
He added; not until there is Local Government Council autonomy and possibly the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) is constitutionally empowered to conduct the local elections, there will be no fair elections.
On whether the Party is considering the option of challenging the outcome in Court, he said: “when there is no election, so what is the Party going to challenge in Court?”
The APC consequently called for a critical need for immediate intervention, accountability, and a thorough investigation into the conduct of EDSIEC and the Edo State Government; “following the events that unfolded during this sham of a local Government election.”
Meanwhile, those who emerged Chairmen from the contentious election were all sworn into office on Monday morning by the Governor, Godwin Obaseki at the Government House, Osadebay Avenue in Benin.
They are expected to in turn supervise the swearing into office of the councillors at their respective local Government Councils.
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