The Labour Party caucus in the House of Representatives has shared their thoughts on the just concluded Edo governorship election, which took place on Saturday, September 21, 2024.

The caucus described the outcome of the election as the biggest theft of the season.

At the end of the polls, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate Monday Okpebholo as the winner of the election.

He polled 291,667 votes to beat Asue Ighodalo, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who scored 247,655 votes. The Labour Party candidate, Olumide Akpata, scored 22,763 votes, coming a distant third.

The Labour Party caucus claimed their candidate was rigged out by the enemies of democracy. Speaking in a press conference, the Deputy Minority Whip, George Ozodinobi said they were consulting with all stakeholders on the next step.

He however, expressed confidence in the judiciary to do what is right should they conclude to proceed to court to fight the outcome.

The caucus believe incidents of vote buying, and intimidation among others marred the election in the state.

He said: “The Labour Party presented the best candidate in the election, who was brazenly rigged out of the process. Our candidate, Barr. Olumide Akpata, a renowned legal professional and former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, garnered significant support from the electorates, but enemies of democracy thwarted his efforts and excellent standing in the election.

“It is on record that our leader and presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi campaigned vigorously for our gubernatorial candidate in every nook and cranny of the state.

“Of course, the whole world witnessed the massive crowd that the Obidient movement pulled wherever he went during the campaign. Yet; Barrister Akpata was allocated paltry votes in a state where LP just about a year and seven months ago had one Senator and two House of Representatives Members. Very disgraceful to the perpetrator of the crime.

“We are deeply concerned over the irregularities and alleged malpractices that marred the electoral process ranging from vote buying by the so-called big parties, intimidation of voters, mass thumb printing of ballot papers and pre-writing and alteration of election results, etc.

“This criminal enterprise aided by some elements of the state including security agents and even officials of the electoral umpire must be nipped in the bud and must not be allowed to be replicated in any future election. Nigeria deserves a transparent electoral process devoid of any form of interference from agents of the state or any external force.

“To us, what transpired in Edo State on September 21, 2024, in the name of the governorship election is the highest theft of the season. The electorate was robbed of their votes and their will and wishes were dashed.

“We want to state without mincing words that the Labour Party is committed to democratic principles and will not stand idly by while the rights of our citizens are trampled upon.

“Furthermore, we urge the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to take immediate action to address these concerns and ensure the integrity of future elections, particularly the 2027 polls.

“Obidient movement tsunami is coming person born of a woman will stop us. The Commission must work tirelessly to prevent similar discrepancies and uphold the sanctity of the electoral process.

“We stand in solidarity with the people of Edo State and reassure them that we will continue to fight for their rights and interests.”