Eben Enasco Reporting.
Edo State is witnessing a surge in protests as women under the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, platform take to the streets to express their discontent with the outcome of the State Gubernatorial elections held on September 21, 2024.
According to the Protesters who brandished placards with various inscriptions, such as “INEC give us our mandate back”, the demonstrations are a testament to the growing frustration among citizens, particularly women, who believed their voices are being ignored over what they described as fraudulent conduct of the election, seeking justice.
The huge turn out of Protesters was largely peaceful, with participants gathering on Tuesday, at the Secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Edo State Council to express their grievances.
Led by prominent women leaders of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, including; Pat Erhabor, Chief Stella Okoro, and Hon. Margaret Agbokhai, the protesters are demanding a reversal of the election results, claiming that the mandate was stolen.
The trio in Unison, emphasized that everyone of them voted for the PDP, stressing that their mandate was sold by the INEC, Police and their collaborators.
“In Edo State every body vited for the PDP but to our greatest surprise they sold our mandate. Everybody voted for Asue Ighodalo and rejected the tigers and the lions that’s why we are calling on Almighty God, our ancestors, and leaders of this great nation to ask those with our mandate to return it,” they said
Since INEC declared Senator Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressive Congress Party, APC, the winner of September 21, 2024, Gubernatorial election, members of the party and sympathisers have been disproportionately affected by the outcome of the results and its aftermath in the State, where they faulted and accused the electoral umpire and Police Operatives as the main culprits for their loss.
The INEC has been criticized for its handling of the elections, by various groups including YIAGA Africa, with some demanding sack of the Edo Resident Electoral Commissioner,
Anugbum Onuoha who they have accused of compromising.
The women are further calling for greater transparency and accountability in the electoral process to prevent future disputes.
Responding to their agitations, the Chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists, Edo State Council, Comrade Festus Alenkhe assured if delivering their plights. Comrade Alenkhe was represented by the Secretary of the Council, Comrade Andy Egbon.
As the protests continue, it remains to be seen how the authorities will respond to the demands of the women and the PDP party, but One thing is clear, however: the women have vowed that the people of Edo State will no longer remain silent in the face of perceived injustice.
The protests underscored the need for electoral reform in Edo State.