Poor Monday Okpebholo cannot rig out wealthier Ighodalo, others – Oshiomhole
By Babajide Adekunle
Senator Adams Oshiomhole, a former Edo State governor and, presently, senator representing Edo north, has dismissed the allegation that governor-elect Monday Okpebholo rigged the September 21 governorship election. Oshiomhole said this in an interview with Channels Television on Monday.
Cornet News had reported that the Independent National Electoral Comission (INEC) had declared that Okpebholo polled 291,667 votes to defeat his closest rival, Asue Ighodalo, who garnered 247,274 votes. Coming a distant third in the poll was Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party (LP), who had 22,763 votes.
“It was not rigged,” Oshiomhole told his interviewer. “This election is a reflection of the will of Edo people. Are you not surprised that it is not possible to rig election without violence? Edo people have spoken about their choice.”
“The election was won by Senator Monday Okpbeholo. He has the mandate of the people, and that is what we call legitimacy,” he said.
”You just told me that this man (Okpbeholo) is weak, and yet he was able to rig out these directors with their money and wealth. A poor man like Monday. How?” Oshiomhole asked rhetorically.
While the All Progressives Congress is ecstatic about winning the poll, the defeated Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rejected the results. The PDP alleges that the INEC and security agencies comprised the election to favour the APC’s candidate.
