Edo 2024: Group uncovers APC’s alleged plans to rig Edo governorship election, warns against manipulation

The Transparency Network and Public Interest Initiative has raised alarming concerns over the integrity of the forthcoming Edo State governorship election scheduled for September 21, 2024. According to a statement released by the group’s spokesperson, Dr. Ehizojie Emmanuel Anderson, there exists a plan within the All Progressives Congress (APC) to manipulate the election results in […]

The Transparency Network and Public Interest Initiative has raised alarming concerns over the integrity of the forthcoming Edo State governorship election scheduled for September 21, 2024. According to a statement released by the group’s spokesperson, Dr. Ehizojie Emmanuel Anderson, there exists a plan within the All Progressives Congress (APC) to manipulate the election results in their favor.

The statement alleges that internal polling within the APC indicates that the opposition PDP’s candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, currently leads with a significant 61% of the vote intention over the APC’s Sen. Monday Okpebholo. In response to this perceived disadvantage, the APC reportedly held an emergency meeting where drastic measures were discussed, including the cessation of campaign spending in favor of amassing funds to buy votes and influence the electoral process.

Key among the allegations is the manipulation of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines. The group claims that some of these machines are to be pre-loaded with falsified accreditation and voting figures, designed to favor the APC. This manipulation, they assert, would be particularly enforced in APC strongholds, notably in Edo North, where opposition agents might be prevented from inspecting these machines by police forces and hired thugs.

The statement also points to a strategy where, if challenged, INEC officials might cite ‘technical glitches’ as a reason for not uploading results, a tactic reminiscent of controversies during the 2023 presidential elections.

The Transparency Network also hinted at financial backing for this alleged plot from high-ranking political figures, including the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, although they note that the President himself appears disinterested in the Edo elections. The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio they say, has also reportedly distanced himself from these developments, leaving Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and APC Edo State Chairman Jarret Tenebe as key figures behind the candidate, Sen. Okpebholo.

This comes in the backdrop of previous allegations and instances where similar tactics of pre filled election results were purportedly used to influence election outcomes, notably in the Kogi State governorship election where the SDP candidate, Alhaji Murtala Ajaka, was allegedly rigged out.

The group has warned that any attempt to subvert the democratic process could lead to widespread unrest, given the already tense socio-economic climate across Nigeria. They emphasized the need for the will of the people to prevail, urging all stakeholders to ensure a free, fair, and transparent electoral process.