The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has warned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) against announcing the results of the September 21 governorship election in Edo State at midnight.
The party has also vowed to defend their votes with their lives.
Acting National Chairman, Illiya Damagum, made the declaration during the grand finale of the PDP campaign in Edo, where he presented the party’s flag to governorship candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo.
He said, “To INEC, we don’t want that midnight results announcement. We will be vigilant and make sure that it doesn’t happen.”
“And, we know they will rig the election, this is not a threat, but we are very serious and we will defend our votes with our blood and everything.
“To the citizens of this country, please watch the election of Edo, it will be a test for our democracy. If they miss it here, it means they are looking for anarchy. We know they will attempt to do so, but we will resist them.”
He called on party supporters to vote en masse and protect their votes, stressing that the Edo election would be a test for Nigeria’s democracy.
The warning follows the controversy surrounding the midnight announcement of the 2023 presidential election results. It can be recalled the candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Tinubu was declared winner by INEC.
Chairman of the PDP National Campaign Council and Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, also warned against compromising the electoral process, urging Edo residents to vote for Ighodalo. He stated that the party cannot be intimidated and will tell them they know how to win elections, and nobody will rig them out.
On his part, Ighodalo pledged to build on the foundation laid by incumbent Governor Godwin Obaseki, while 2023 presidential candidate Alhaji Atiku Abubakar encouraged voters to protect their votes and ensure a PDP victory.
He said, “So come out to vote, protect and defend your votes, escort your votes and make sure they are announced and if you do that, no body can change your votes and PDP will win come September 21.”
