The All Progressives Congress, APC in Edo State has accused the incumbent Governor and Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Godwin Obaseki of conniving with the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in charge of Akwa Ibom State, Mike Igini to rig the September 19 election in the State. APC alleges that the plot includes producing fake ballots and inducement of recruited INEC ad-hoc staff to aid in rigging the polls in favour of the PDP.
The State APC Chairman, Colonel David Imuse (Rtd) made the allegation while briefing journalists in Auchi the headquarters of Etsako West Local Government Area in Edo North Senatorial District.
It is exactly 3 weeks to the conduct of the Edo State Governorship election and allegations and counter-allegations continue to dominate the political space in the State.
Meanwhile, the PDP Edo State Campaign Council says it will not be dragged into the narrative on social and conventional media dwelling on the appointment of a Resident Electoral Commissioner in Edo State by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
The Campaign Council notes that it recognises that INEC is an independent body and reserves the right to appoint officials who have been cleared by the National Assembly to conduct elections in various states.
In a statement released by the Chairman of the Council, Dan Orbih, the party believes that with the Commission being responsible for election management, INEC will take responsibility for successes of elections and of course its failures.
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Orbih emphasised that the PDP is only interested in INEC conducting free, fair, credible and transparent elections and will be watching with keen interest, steps taken by the electoral umpire in preparation for the election.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)