Ondo Not Edo, We’ll Protect Our Votes – PDP Candidate

• The PDP in Ondo State condemned the recent Edo governorship election results, calling it a “rape on democracy” and criticizing INEC’s actions
• Agboola Ajayi expressed disbelief at the official results, asserting that the PDP candidate, Asue Ighodalo, was the true winner of the election

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State has criticized the outcome of the recent Edo State governorship election, calling it a “rape on democracy.”

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Monday that Okpebholo, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, was the winner, with 247,274 votes, defeating Asue Ighodalo, the PDP candidate, who scored 291,667 votes. However, Agboola Ajayi, the PDP candidate for the upcoming Ondo State election, expressed disbelief at the official result, claiming that Ighodalo was the winner.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ayo Fadaka, Ajayi condemned INEC’s decision to move the collation of votes from the local government collation centres to its headquarters in Benin. He argued that this action undermined democracy and failed to reflect the people’s true will.

“The Edo State Governorship Election results represent another rape on democracy in Nigeria,” the statement read, calling the outcome shameful and a betrayal of voters’ intent.

Ajayi further emphasized that the PDP in Ondo is fully prepared for their governorship election, which is set for November. He vowed that the party would ensure that the rules are followed strictly and that every vote will be protected. He warned that any attempt to compromise the election in Ondo would not be tolerated, stating, “Ondo is not Edo.” Ajayi promised that the PDP would do everything necessary to uphold the electoral desires of the people in Ondo State.