Five days after filing his petition at the Edo State Governorship Election Tribunal, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the September 21 election, has expressed unwavering confidence in the judiciary as the last hope for the common man.
Speaking on ITV Benin’s Pidgin English talk show, ‘Man Around Town,’ Ighodalo reinforced his faith in the legal system despite the prevailing skepticism surrounding it.
Ighodalo, a lawyer with 40 years of experience, emphasized his belief that the judiciary can rectify injustices.
“I won all the 15 cases brought against me from the primary, so I cannot say I don’t have faith in the judiciary.
It remains the last hope of the common man,” he stated.
READ ALSO : Women protest alleged election fraud in Edo, demand restoration of Ighodalo’s mandate
He condemned the harassment and intimidation faced by PDP supporters before and during the election, pointing to collusion between the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Nigeria Police Force, and compromised officials from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to manipulate election results.
“The APC chieftains worked hand in glove with some compromised INEC staff and rogue policemen to subvert the will of the people,” Ighodalo asserted, vowing to use lawful means to reclaim his mandate.
Ighodalo recounted challenges during the material inspection period, criticizing INEC for showing undue sympathy to the APC despite a valid court order for the PDP to inspect necessary materials.
He accused the commission and the police of orchestrating obstacles to impede his legal efforts.
Discussing reports from election observers, he noted their unanimous conclusion that the election was compromised due to the collusion of APC, INEC, and a biased police force.
“The evidence that I won the election is incontrovertible,” he declared, warning that democracy is at risk if electoral fraud continues unchecked.
READ ALSO : Ighodalo breaks silence, calls 2024 Edo election “brazen theft of mandate”
Ighodalo rejected claims that internal strife within the PDP contributed to the election loss, stating firmly, “We won the election outright.”
He highlighted his campaign efforts, which included engaging with voters and presenting his manifesto, resulting in significant support.
When asked about accepting a potentially unfavorable court verdict, Ighodalo stated he would abide by the Supreme Court’s decision but expressed confidence in his case based on gathered evidence.
He also dismissed rumors of congratulating the declared winner, humorously questioning, “Do you congratulate a thief who has come to your house and stolen your goods?”
Did you not hear or read that I was getting ready to run for Senate? They are the worst form of propagandists in this country.
Some of them even talk before thinking.“
On a final note, Ighodalo warned that if the kind of electoral heist just witnessed in Edo continues in the country and not reversed, democracy will be imperiled.
He then thanked the people of Edo for standing by him and urged them not to allow themselves to be provoked by the antics of those who do not mean well for them.