INEC Grants PDP Access To Edo Election Materials For Inspection Today

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that it will provide the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with electoral materials today (Wednesday) for the September 21 Edo State governorship election. This follows complaints from the PDP alleging delays in accessing these materials, which are essential for their court challenge of the election results.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Edo State, Dr. Augbum Onuoha, confirmed in an interview on Tuesday that INEC had asked the PDP to come on Wednesday to access the materials. The PDP had earlier accused INEC of deliberately withholding the materials, with the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, claiming that officials were attempting to doctor the documents to cover up alleged rigging in favor of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In the September 21 poll, INEC declared APC candidate Senator Monday Okpebholo as the winner with 291,667 votes, defeating PDP’s Asue Ighodalo, who secured 247,274 votes. The PDP, however, has rejected the results, alleging electoral manipulation and vowing to challenge the outcome in court. Despite securing a court order to inspect the election materials, the PDP has expressed frustration over INEC’s delay in granting access.

Chris Osa Nehikhare, Edo State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, accused INEC of conspiring with the APC to delay the inspection in an attempt to obstruct justice. He also alleged that the APC was plotting to burn INEC’s office to destroy critical electoral evidence, including the BVAS machines and other materials.

On Monday, the PDP’s legal team, led by Olusegun Jolaawo (SAN), was denied access to the materials despite presenting the court order at INEC’s office in Benin City. In response, PDP women staged a protest on Tuesday, demanding the return of what they called their “stolen mandate.” Clad in black, they carried placards and vowed to continue protesting until their demands were met.

In contrast, the APC denied any involvement in the delay, accusing the PDP of spreading falsehoods and attempting to manipulate the electoral process through internal connections at INEC. APC’s Director of Publicity stated that the party was merely safeguarding its victory and dismissed the PDP’s allegations as baseless.

The situation continues to generate tension as the PDP pushes for access to the materials in order to file their legal challenge before the deadline.