(DDM) – The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State has strongly rejected the results of the senatorial and House of Representatives by-elections conducted on Saturday, August 16, 2025.
In a statement released by Chris Nehikhare, the Elections Secretary of the Edo PDP Caretaker Committee, the party described the entire exercise as a disgrace to democracy.
DDM gathered that the opposition party accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of hiding under “technical glitches” and “malfunctions” to cover what it termed incompetence, bias, and lack of moral credibility.
The PDP emphasized that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) remains the single most important tool in safeguarding electoral credibility in Nigeria.
According to the statement, INEC’s inability to guarantee its full and proper usage raises deep concerns about fairness and transparency in the democratic process.
Recall that in the early hours of Sunday, August 17, 2025, INEC declared the candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) winners of the Edo Central senatorial district and Ovia Federal Constituency by-elections.
Joseph Ikpea was announced as the winner of the senatorial seat, while Omosede Igbinedion was declared winner of the House of Representatives contest.
The announcement triggered immediate backlash from the Edo PDP, which insisted that the results were manipulated to favor the APC.
The party accused INEC of compromising under political pressure and failing in its responsibility to Nigerians.
It noted that the recurring issues of technological failure and alleged collusion with ruling party interests were undermining citizens’ faith in elections.
Observers reported that the polls witnessed delayed voter accreditation and system shutdowns in some areas, incidents which the PDP now insists were deliberate sabotage.
The party vowed to pursue all legal and constitutional means to challenge the results.
Political analysts note that this development deepens the state’s tense political landscape, especially with Edo State being a strategic battleground ahead of future general elections.
Supporters of the PDP in Edo have also expressed outrage, accusing INEC of disenfranchising voters through poor preparation and intentional bias.
The controversy has sparked debates online, with many Nigerians questioning whether electoral reforms promised after the 2023 elections have truly been implemented.
For now, the declaration of the APC candidates as winners stands, but the PDP’s rejection signals that legal and political battles lie ahead.
