Labour Party’s Olumide Akpata has made a surprising decision not to challenge the Edo election result, despite coming in third with only 22,763 votes ¹. This choice is quite unexpected, especially considering the controversies surrounding the election.
Controversies Surrounding the Election
The election was marred by allegations of manipulation and inconsistencies in the results. Atedo Peterside, founder of Stanbic IBTC and Anap Foundation, shared manipulated results from the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IREV) on his social media account, highlighting discrepancies in the number of accredited voters and actual votes cast ¹. In some polling units, the APC reportedly secured more votes than the total number of accredited voters.
PDP’s Reaction
In contrast, the PDP has rejected the election result and is heading to court, claiming that their candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, won the election based on results from polling units across the state ² ³. The party has gathered evidence to support their claim and is pursuing justice through lawful channels.
Akpata’s Decision
Despite these controversies, Akpata has chosen not to challenge the result. While his reasons are unclear, it’s possible that he wishes to avoid prolonging the electoral process or potentially destabilizing the state’s governance.
The Edo election has been a subject of debate, with various stakeholders raising concerns about its integrity. While Akpata’s decision not to challenge the result may come as a surprise, it’s essential to respect his choice. The PDP, however, is determined to seek justice, and their actions will likely shape the future of Edo state’s governance.
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