The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has dispelled claims that its leaders were mounting pressure on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to manipulate the Edo state governorship election for its candidate, Governor Godwin Obaseki.
There are media reports that PDP leaders were putting pressure on INEC Chairman, Prof. Yakubu Mahmood, to help rig the September 19 governorship election in Edo state.
But the PDP in a statement Thursday, by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, alleged that the “fake” reports were sponsored the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The PDP said the development has further exposed the APC’s alleged hopelessness, adding that the party had resorted to blackmail because it was clear it would not win the election.
“Whereas we understand APC’s despondency over the soaring popularity of our party and candidate, Governor Godwin Obaseki, the APC is worsening its woes by sponsoring fabrications against the expressed will of the people of Edo state to re-elect Governor Obaseki in the September election.
“The APC, by now, should know that attempting to rig, by any way whatsoever, will surely be met with stiff resistance and dire consequences from the people.
“Our party counsels the APC to blame nobody but themselves for having a discredited nomination process and being stuck with a blighted candidate, who has now become a symbol of a direct affront by corrupt political godfathers and cabal to the will, ability and liberty of the people of Edo state to chose their own leader,” the party said.
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