As the off-cycle elections in Ondo, Osun and Anambra States draw near, fear and anxiety are rising among opposition parties over potential manipulation and rigging.
The Independent National Election Commission had declared All Progressives Congress Governorship candidate, Monday Okpebholo having polled 291,667 votes to defeat the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Asue Ighodalo who scored 247,274 votes.
The election in Edo was marred by allegations of widespread manipulation of results, vote buying and undue influence, with some election observers rejecting the outcome of the election in some Local government areas.
Opposition parties raised concern that the forthcoming off-circle elections could be a repeat of the Edo’s experience.
While Ondo governorship election is scheduled to hold on November 16 this year, Anambra will have its election in 2025 and Osun’s election will come up in 2026.
Edo, like Osun is a PDP controlled State, while Anambra is under the All Progressives Grand Alliance.
But the opposition parties are accusing the ruling APC of “forceful” takeover of power through manipulation of elections in opposition controlled States.
The PDP Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Ibrahim Abdullahi said the party had lost confidence in INEC to conduct free, fair and credible election and called on Nigerians to reject the APC.
“APC has demonstrated its desperation, it has proven that it is not all out for democracy but to grab power at all cost by whatever means possible, this is detrimental to the progress of our democracy,” Abdullah said.
Meanwhile, the Osun State chapter of PDP has vowed not to be ousted from power through rigging in the 2026 governorship election, asserting that it would secure victory over any other party in the state.
The State Chairman of the party, Sunday Bisi, alleged that the recent Edo governorship election was rigged, accusing INEC and security agencies of conspiring to deny PDP victory in the State.
“What happened in Edo State was a mess and an assault on democracy. INEC and security agencies compromised to rig the election for APC. What happened in Edo will never happen in Osun,” Bisi said.
However, the APC countered, stating that the Osun PDP was anxious because Adeleke was underperforming in the state.
“It is obvious that Governor Adeleke and his co-travelers are jittery because there were no electoral malfeasances committed by the outgoing governor of Edo State that haven’t been repeated here. That is why they are jittery,” said Kola Olabisi, Director of Media and Publicity of Osun APC.
On his part, APGA said it would be difficult for APC to win the Governorship election in Anambra.
The party Spokesman in Anambra State, Dr Tony Olisa-Mbeki, insisted that the APC would not repeat what it did in Edo State in Anambra State, because the APC had no traction in the state.
He said, “The idea of the APC taking over Anambra State in 2025 is highly improbable and cannot happen even in the dreams. APGA is fully prepared to counter any potential irregularities in the 2025 election.”
Responding to the concerns, the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, defended the commission’s efforts, insisting that electoral integrity is a shared responsibility.
“Election is a multi-stakeholder activity. For the Independent National Electoral Commission to fulfill its role of conducting free, fair and credible elections seamlessly, all stakeholders must be prepared to play their part,” the CPS noted. (Punch)
