PDP candidate, Ize-Iyamu rejects Edo poll result

The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Osagie Ize-Iyamu has rejected the results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

This was before the announcement of the final result by the commission.

The PDP candidate alleged inducement of voters and collaboration of INEC with the state government to doctor the results in favour of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He said that they decided not to wait for the full result to be called because they had already been informed about what was playing out.

NEWSVERGE reports that INEC on Thursday declared APC candidate, Mr Godwin Obaseki, winner of the Edo State governorship election which held on Wednesday, September 28.

After the collation of results from the 18 local government areas of Edo state in south-south Nigeria, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) pulled a total of 319,483 votes while his closest rival from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Osagie Ize-Iyamu, polled 253,173 votes.

The APC won in Akoko-Edo LGA, Ikpoba-Okha, Etsako West, Etsako East, Etsako Cenral, Owan East LGA, Ovia North LGA, Oredo LGA, Uhunwomnde,  Igueben LGA, Egor LGA, Owan West LGA.

The PDP won in Esan North Central, Esan West LGA, Orhionmwon LGA, Esan South East LGA, Esan North East LGA.

While the agent of the APC at the collation centre expressed satisfaction with the conduct and result of the election, describing it as the result of hard work, the PDP agent expressed strong reservation, referring to the result as a disappointment.

He subsequently refused to sign the final result sheet.

Prior to the announcement of the results on Thursday, September 29, security officials had to form a barricade outside the INEC office in Benin City.

This was in order to prevent a breakdown of law and order as some protesters alleged that there was a change of results by the electoral commission.

The returning officer for the Edo state governorship elections, Professor Kayode Soremekun, announced results as follows:

AA – 155; ACD – 1,350; ACPN – 3,184; APC – 319,483; APGA – 876; CPP – 226; ID – 99; KOWA – 75; LP – 182; NPPP – 125; NCP – 294; NNPP – 118; PDC – 1,289; PDP – 253,173; PPA – 855; PPN – 112; SDP – 72; UPP – 431; YDP – 200.