The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Edo State on Saturday raised the alarm over the likelihood of electoral malpractices and expressed dissatisfaction in the electoral processes that led to the casting of vote by electorate today.
He stated this after casting his vote, highlighting significant delays in the arrival of electoral materials.
“I am not happy with the process that delayed the coming of the materials. This is a single-state election. INEC had all the time to prepare.”
Despite these setbacks, Ighodalo praised the electorate’s determination, remarking, “The people have remained calm; they have been very patient and steadfast.” He urged voters to stay engaged and fulfill their civic duty, emphasizing that they should not be deterred by the ongoing issues.
Ighodalo raised concerns over alleged electoral misconduct, stating, “We are not comfortable with the little shenanigans that are going on, particularly from the APC guys.”
He reported rumours of attempts to undermine the election, including accusations of vote-buying for amounts ranging from N15,000 to N20,000.
Expressing confidence in his campaign, Ighodalo declared, “We will win this election by a landslide and move our state forward by God’s grace.” He praised the military’s involvement in maintaining order, stating, “The Nigerian military has made me proud. They have taken charge and have shown great responsibility.”
Addressing reports of intimidation against PDP supporters, Ighodalo noted, “No one should carry a gun into a polling unit. It’s against the law; it’s against the regulation.”
He criticized the uneven application of law enforcement, claiming that only PDP supporters faced arrest while APC members engaged in misconduct without repercussions.
Ighodalo remains hopeful that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will ensure a fair election, asserting, “I believe INEC will deliver a free and fair election until they prove otherwise.”
Despite the challenges, he reiterated his campaign’s message and the support they have garnered across the state.
