Amidst the turmoil of political news, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the Edo governorship election, Asue Ighodalo, has vowed to go to court to recover what he calls a “stolen mandate”. Despite coming second with 247,274 votes, he is determined to defend his position, claiming that over 160 polling stations did not use the Bipolar Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).
Ighodalo confidently claims to have solid evidence and data to prove his legitimacy, saying the electoral process was marred by fraud and manipulation orchestrated by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in collusion with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). He particularly denounces the massive vote buying by the APC, while the PDP has stayed away from this dubious practice.
In denouncing the failure of the vote collation process and the subversion of electoral laws, Ighodalo stresses the importance of safeguarding the will of the people and protecting the integrity of the democratic process. He thus refuses any alliance or compromise with the declared winner, Monday Okpebholo, arguing that the legality of his victory is being questioned.
Ighodalo’s determination to defend his purported victory and win his case in court reveals a deep commitment to democratic principles and electoral transparency. His decision to resort to legal action to restore what he considers a “stolen mandate” demonstrates his firm belief in justice and the rule of law.
In a context marked by growing political tensions and accusations of electoral fraud, Asue Ighodalo’s approach testifies to the importance of defending the integrity of democratic processes and ensuring the representativeness of the people’s voices in all circumstances. His determination to fight for the recognition of his alleged mandate illustrates the will to resist attempts at destabilization and to preserve democracy as the fundamental foundation of society.