THE Peoples Democratic Party Governors Forum (PDP-GF) has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of manipulating the recent Edo State governorship election, describing it as a “rape of democracy.”
This is just as the forum advised the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) to call the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting latest by the first week of February 2025 for elaborate consultations with critical stakeholders of the party to address the lingering leadership crisis rocking the party.
It will be recalled that the NEC meeting initially scheduled for November 28, 2024 was postponed.
The governors, in a meeting held at the Plateau State Government House in Jos, Plateau State, on Saturday and chaired by Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, issued a resolution that called for urgent reforms to safeguard the sanctity of the electoral process in Nigeria.
The meeting was attended by key figures from across the party, including members of the NWC, the Board of Trustees (BOT), the National Assembly Forum, Former Governors’ Forum, Former Ministers’ Forum, and other prominent party leaders.
In a communique released after the meeting, they strongly condemned the alleged manipulation of the Edo election in favour of the All Progressives Congress (APC) despite the PDP candidate, Asue Ighodalo, whom the governor claimed won the majority of lawful votes.
The governors urged the judiciary to act decisively to protect Nigerian democracy, calling for legal interventions to reverse any electoral outcomes that were the result of “institutional sabotage.”
They also called on the National Assembly to review Nigeria’s electoral laws to prevent such manipulation in the future, urging a reform of the electoral system to ensure that the will of the people is upheld.
“The forum notes with concern the rape of democracy in Edo governorship elections. It is clear to everyone with conscience that Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) manipulated results in favour of the APC candidate when in fact majority of lawful votes were won by the PDP candidate, Mr. Asue Ighodalo,” the PDP governors said.
“The forum calls on the judiciary to save Nigerian democracy and the National Assembly to look into our electoral laws to make it difficult for institutional sabotage of the will of the people,” the communique added.
It revealed that the governors are still examining the documents in Ondo governorship election “where the APC manipulated results after openly buying votes.”
The forum expressed deep concerns about what it described as “seeming divisions” within the party.
However, it reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining unity and cohesion within the PDP, stating its determination to uphold the party’s role as the best platform for democratic governance in Nigeria.
The governors also acknowledged the internal challenges faced by the party, including leadership disputes and ongoing litigations.
The PDP governors agreed to postpone the NEC meeting, originally scheduled for the same date, in solidarity with their colleague who recently lost his wife.
The forum advised the NWC to convene the NEC by the first week of February 2025, following a period of consultations with key stakeholders. The resolution was made with a focus on addressing the party’s existential issues and ensuring that the party presents a united front going into the 2025 general elections.
“Between November and February, we will address the existential problems confronting the party, with a deliberate timeline of activities to resolve leadership issues and ongoing litigations,” the forum noted.
The PDP governors also expressed serious concern over the economic hardship Nigerians are currently facing, which they attributed to the policies of the APC-led Federal Government.
The forum called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently review both macroeconomic and fiscal policies in order to address the welfare and well-being of Nigerians.
“The forum empathises with Nigerians who are groaning under the oppressive economic hardship foisted on the nation by the policies and decisions of the APC-led Federal Government,” the communiqué read. “We call on President Bola Tinubu to urgently review these policies to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians and to provide hope for a better future.”
Despite the challenges facing Nigeria, the forum reaffirmed the PDP’s commitment to the country’s development.
The governors promised to continue implementing policies that would help alleviate economic hardship and promote national progress.
They also expressed gratitude to the government and people of Plateau State for hosting the meeting, highlighting the state’s visible progress in areas such as social services, tourism, and transportation.
“We commend the government of Plateau State for its visible and laudable transformation in social services, tourism, and transportation,” the statement said. “We believe this progress gives Nigerians hope for a brighter future under the leadership of the PDP after 2027.”
The forum expressed empathy for Governor Eno Bassey of Akwa Ibom State, who had recently lost his wife, extending its condolences to him and his family, praying for strength and fortitude during this difficult time.
The forum also extended its condolences to Plateau and Jigawa States over recent tragedies.
The PDP governors expressed their sympathies for the devastating fire at the Katako Market in Plateau State, which destroyed millions of naira worth of property.
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