Although he said the election was not free and fair, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the last Edo governorship election, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu has said it will not challenge the results in court.
But Pastor Ize-Iyamu attested the relatively peaceful nature of the voting process in most parts of the state.
” Contrary to orchestrated media reports, the election was neither free nor fair. There were several episodes of violence, voter intimidation and falsification of results. In particular, there were unlawful cancellations of results particularly from Urhonigbe South and North in Orhiomwon, while results were falsified from many polling units in Ofunama in Ovia South West, and in parts of Ovia North East, Owan West, Oredo, Egor, Ikpoba-Okha, Esan North East, Esan West, Esan South East, and Uhunmwode Local Government Areas”.
“Sadly, two persons were killed during the election, while gun-wielding thugs took over collation centres in many locations without the intervention of law-enforcement agents. There were also several cases of malfunctioning card readers, which disenfranchised duly registered voters, in addition to many cases of unregistered voters voting with pre-purchased voters’ cards not collected by their actual owners”.
The candidate of the APC said, the malpractices could easily form the basis to challenge the election results be he has however decided not to commence an election petition.
He said it is to avoid further tension in the state as well as to be mindful and respect the pronouncements of leadership of the APC’s endorsing the process.
Just like the Peoples Democratic Party, the APC candidate said, they had filed two pre-election cases against the PDP and its flag bearer challenging their eligibility to contest the election.
“we must emphasize that elections are far more than actual voting, just as democracy includes more than just elections. It is in this light that we draw attention to the fact that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its flag bearer have continued to pursue several pre-election suits in various courts against us, all totalling 13. One of such cases came up in the High Court, Benin on 2nd October, 2020, days after the election”.
“On our part, we had filed two pre-election cases against the PDP and its flag bearer challenging their eligibility to contest the election. These are all lawful and integral parts of the electoral process in any democracy, which we must all respect and acknowledge as genuine democrats”.
“The outcome of these pending cases have direct effect on the election. Consequently, we have decided to continue with our pre-election cases in full exercise of our legal rights, just as our opponents have considered it their prerogative to also continue with their pre-election cases against us”.
