Reset Lagos PDP convener and well-known PDP member Dr. Adetokunbo Pearse has voiced grave worries over the outcome of the recent Edo State gubernatorial election, which went in favor of Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC).CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
In a press statement reported by the Nigerian Tribune, Pearse accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and certain security agents of orchestrating intimidation and fraudulent activities throughout the election. He contended that these alleged malpractices significantly compromised the integrity of the electoral process, leading to a result that did not reflect the true will of the people.
Pearse asserted that the PDP had actually secured the majority of votes but was unjustly denied victory due to the manipulation he described. He raised concerns about the integrity of both the pre-election activities and the vote-counting phase, suggesting that discrepancies in the results posted on the INEC server indicate that the PDP should have emerged as the winner. This discrepancy between the reported results and the official announcement has fueled his allegations of corruption within the electoral system.
Demonstrating a profound distrust in INEC, Pearse noted that the PDP National Publicity Secretary had openly rejected the election results, calling for significant electoral reforms before the 2027 elections. He emphasized the potential for future rigging if the president continues to have the authority to appoint the INEC chairman and other commissioners, as well as control local government funds.
When discussing the prospects of seeking justice through the judiciary, Pearse expressed skepticism about the likelihood of a favorable outcome. He pointed to widespread corruption across various institutions, including INEC and the judiciary, indicating that these systemic issues undermine the integrity of any legal proceedings related to the election.
Pearse characterized the Edo gubernatorial election as a “test case” for potential manipulation in future elections, warning that it exemplifies how the political landscape may be shaped heading into the 2027 elections. Despite his deep concerns about electoral malpractices, Pearse reaffirmed the PDP’s commitment to combating injustice, vowing that the party would not remain passive in the face of perceived electoral corruption.
In his words, “According to some social media publications, which may be true or may not be true, the results posted on the INEC server clearly show that the PDP won the election, and then INEC announced something else that APC won the election.”CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
