LP lauds INEC on Edo governorship election

..criticises Obi’s remarks over alleged election fraud

Kunle Sanni

The Labour Party has praised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for conducting what it described as one of the fairest and most peaceful elections in Edo State.

The party also congratulated the newly elected governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC), calling his victory well-deserved.

In a statement issued by the Labour Party’s National Publicity Secretary, Abayomi Arabambi, on Tuesday, the party dismissed allegations that the election was fraudulent, condemning those who criticised INEC’s handling of the polls. Arabambi emphasised that some individuals fail to acknowledge history and only criticise processes that do not benefit them.

The party’s statement specifically targeted former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, accusing him of hypocrisy for condemning INEC’s conduct in Edo while supporting the electoral body’s stance in previous instances.

According to Arabambi, Obi had endorsed INEC’s declaration that the tenure of Labour Party Chairman Julius Abure had expired, a decision that benefitted his interests.

The Labour Party also blamed Obi and Abia State Governor Alex Otti for contributing to the party’s poor performance in the Edo governorship election, accusing them of power-grabbing and betraying the party’s leadership.

The statement highlighted that Peter Obi supported a candidate from Edo South, Olumide Akpata, despite the desire for the next governor to come from Edo Central.

Arabambi further criticised Obi’s remarks about the misuse of electoral technology, such as the BVAS and IReV systems, calling his warnings of societal retribution an insult to Edo voters who sought equity in the election.

The party also rebuked its candidate, Olumide Akpata, for alleging that the election was determined by vote-buying. Arabambi claimed that Akpata had no moral right to make such accusations, given that he allegedly bought Labour Party delegates during the primaries and had previously used his financial influence to secure the party’s ticket.

Labour Part, therefore, urged Edo citizens to support the newly elected governor and called for unity within the party.

The opposition also demanded that Peter Obi apologise to Labour Party Chairman Julius Abure for causing division and undermining the party’s trust.