The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo state has described the recent local government election in the state as a shocking display of fraudulence and deception orchestrated by the governor of the state, Godwin obaseki.
Dr. David Imuse, chairman of the APC in Edo state stated this in a statement in reaction to the results of the council polls released by INEC at the weekend.
Recall that the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission had declared Tom Obaseki, brother of Governor Godwin Obaseki and 17 other candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party winners of the 18 chairmanship seats in the Edo State Local council election held on Saturday.
The EDSIEC Chairman, Justice James Oyomire (retd.), said that the PDP candidates were declared winners having scored the highest number of valid votes in the election.
The contest for the 18 local government chairmanship and 192 councillors seats was then left between the ruling PDP, APC, and the Labour Party.
But in a swift reaction, Imuse said the council poll was a selection process which turned out to be a sham, leaving Edo citizens severely disillusioned and questioning the integrity of the EDSIEC.
“As you clearly observed, EDSIEC officials, refusing to perform their duties, were conspicuously absent in a majority of the polling units. And in those places where they did make an appearance, ballot paper were short-supplied – 100 ballots per unit inrespective of the numbers of registered voters in that units. There were no result sheets.
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“I am sure you were equally alarmed by the absence of EDSIEC officials at the so-called results collation centers, which render any possibility of legitimate result tabulation null and void. The deliberate absence of EDSIEC officials was at the instance of the Obaseki regime, who was terrified by the mass turnout of Voters across the State.
“His plan all along was to read prepared results with his handpicked candidates as winners which he eventually did. The scenes all over casts’ serious doubts on the credibility and transparency of the election, further reinforcing the allegations of fraudulent practices carried out by the Obaseki government.
“Gentlemen, 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. The events that unfolded during this sham of a local government election once again demonstrated a critical need for immediate intervention, accountability, and a thorough investigation into the conduct of EDSIEC and the Edo state government.
“There was no local government election in Edo state and so no results in any guise should be released by the EDSIEC. In the same vein, there should be no attempt to swear in any person or persons as Chairman or Councilors, on the basis of the so-called election.
He therefore urged all concerned stakeholders, civil society organizations, and the general public, to take note of the grave travesty and join the party in demanding justice and fairness for the people of Edo state.