Edo Guber Polls: PDP’s Ighodalo Cries Foul Over “Stolen Mandate”
The Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) candidate at the recently concluded Edo state governorship elections, Asue Ighodalo, has claimed that his mandate was “stolen” at the polls.
He expressed his dismay at the results of the election in a statement issued on Monday.
Recall that Senator Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) emerged victorious at the just ended polls.
While pointing out that he aimed to “serve the people,” Ighodalo hailed Edo residents for defying the rain to turn up for the voting exercise.
Ighodalo went on to describe the announcement of Okpebholo as one of his “darkest moments.”
“First, in all things, we must give thanks to God. We give thanks to God for the gift of life, for health, and for the love you all have shown me.
“I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you who has stood by us on this incredible journey.
“I would like to particularly thank the good people of Edo State who defied the rain, intimidation, threats of violence, harassment, arrests, and financial inducements to cast their votes for us overwhelmingly last Saturday, 21st September 2024. You are the true heroes of our democracy, and your sacrifices for a better Edo State will never be forgotten.
“My aspiration was not borne out of a love for power but from a genuine desire to serve the people and create a Pathway to Prosperity for All in Edo State. I travelled through every ward and every local government area, sharing this message and engaging in meaningful conversations with you.
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“To all our beloved supporters, thank you for believing in this vision, for your countless hours of dedication, and for every conversation you had with people about this cause. Together, we ran a great campaign, and your overwhelming support was evident in the ballots before our progress was unjustly halted on 21st September 2024 by people who do not mean well for you or our state.
“That day will forever be etched in our history as one of our darkest moments, marked by the brazen theft of our mandate and the shameful subversion of the will of the people.
“Yet, in the face of this challenge, we must not be discouraged. The illusory triumph of evil over good is only temporary,” the Candidate said.
The elections which took place on Saturday, September 21, 2024, saw Monday Okpebholo of the APC emerge as winner, with Ighodalo of the PDP coming in second.
