Edo 2020: PDP Alleges APC Plot to Produce Fake Election Results
The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has alleged that the All Progressives Congress (APC) was planning to fabricate election results ahead of the September 19, 2020 governorship election.
Edo PDP Secretary Chris Nehikhare made the allegation at a press conference in Benin City, claiming that fake results could be prepared outside polling centres and later introduced during collation or presented before an election petition tribunal.
Nehikhare also alleged that there were plans to disrupt voting in selected polling units and wards in order to create opportunities for disputed results to emerge.
The PDP described the alleged strategy as the “Hope Uzodinma template,” a reference to the Supreme Court judgment that brought Uzodinma to office as Imo State governor.
The party, however, did not provide independent evidence to substantiate its claims.
Nehikhare said PDP supporters and voters in Edo State would closely monitor the election and protect results obtained at polling units.
He maintained that any attempt to introduce allegedly fabricated results into post-election litigation would be challenged.
The APC rejected the allegations.
Responding on behalf of Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma, the state Commissioner for Special Projects, Simon Ebegbulem, accused Governor Godwin Obaseki and the PDP of resorting to propaganda because they were struggling to convince voters.
Ebegbulem said Uzodinma was not an official of the Independent National Electoral Commission and therefore had no control over election result sheets.
He insisted that the Imo governor believed in the rule of law and wanted the Edo electorate to determine the outcome of the election through their votes.
The APC official also counter-alleged that the PDP was preparing to manipulate the election, though he likewise provided no independent evidence for the claim.
Ebegbulem maintained that the APC would resist any attempt to interfere with the electoral process and expressed confidence that voters would reject Obaseki at the polls.
Nehikhare also dismissed reports suggesting that the PDP was stockpiling weapons ahead of the election, describing the allegation as an attempt to frighten voters and suppress turnout.
He urged Edo residents to ignore what he described as intimidation and come out in large numbers to exercise their voting rights.
The competing allegations reflected rising tensions between the PDP and APC as both parties intensified preparations for the Edo governorship election.
