Edo State Labour Party Governorship candidate Olumide Akpata has expressed concern over the outcome of Saturday’s election.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) winner after he polled 291,667 votes to defeat Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who scored 247,274 votes, while LP’s Mr Akpata, came third with 22,763 votes.
In a statement, Akpata spoke on issues of voter intimidation and result manipulation, noting that while there were no major incidents of ballot stuffing, many citizens chose not to vote, leading to low turnout.
He also revealed that he lost his polling unit because he refused to engage in vote buying even if he had the resources to do so.
He criticized the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) for engaging in vote-buying, which he described as undermining the electoral process.
He pointed out that this practice has serious consequences for the state’s future, as it has created a system where wealth, rather than the people’s choice, dictates leadership.
“Let us be clear: what transpired on 21 September 2024 was not an election but a transaction. It was enabled by those who chose to stay away, making it easier for the two dominant parties to afford a significant majority of the few votes on offer, and by those who came out and willingly sold their votes.
“To those who sold their votes: We extend our understanding, not condemnation. We acknowledge the crushing economic hardships that many of you face daily – hardships that make the immediate relief of vote-selling seem like a lifeline. Yet, this short-term gain comes at an immense long-term cost.
“In the end, it became painfully clear that we did not have the people, as many – including some Labour Party faithfuls and agents – willingly sold their future for peanuts to the very political parties whose actions and policies have impoverished them.
“Our campaign steadfastly refused to engage in this cash-and-carry approach. We did not budget to compete with the two political parties with money”.
