Governor Adams Oshiomhole

By Adibe Emenyonu

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State yesterday formally made public the reasons why it challenged the re-election of Governor Adams Oshiomhole, adding that the July poll was marred with fraud, manipulations, rigging and irregularities.

In a press statement signed by the state Director of Publicity, Okharedia Ihimekpen, and made available to THISDAY, the party noted that it decided to contest the results of the election at the Election Petition Tribunal in order to deepen democracy, the rule of law and in the overall interest of the people of the state.

According to him: “The relevant qualifications tendered by the ACN candidate, Adams Oshiomhole before INEC was found to be fake.”

He said the only certificate tendered by Oshiomhole was a Modern School Leaving Certificate without primary school certificate, which by constitution does not qualify him to contest, adding that even the modern school certificate was forged.

Other reasons given by the Edo PDP Publicity Secretary include; “That Governor Adams Oshiomhole was invalidly returned by the Resident Electoral Commissioner (Edo State) as duly elected, despite the fact that the election not having been conducted in compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2012 (as amended);

“That the Returning Officer, Edo State governorship election, as the Returning Officer wrongly proceeded to declare Adams Oshiomhole winner of the election by issuing Form EC8E on the 15th day of July, 2012;

“That the Resident Electoral Commissioner (Edo State), also subsequently and wrongfully issued Adams Oshiomhole with the Certificate of Return on behalf of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC);

The Edo PDP further said: “That Adams Oshiomhole was purportedly returned as the winner of the said election was not qualified to contest the said election for the office of the governor of Edo State.”