By Christiana Ekpa
The Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate in last Saturday’s election in Enugu State, Barr. Chijioke Edeoga has vowed to retrieve his mandate which he said was allegedly stolen by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Edeoga, who spoke after Barr. Peter Mbah of the PDP was announced winner of the election, said he was robbed of victory, describing it as “electoral mess”.
Recall that after days of anxiety in Enugu, Mbah was on Wednesday night declared Enugu governor-elect by the Returning Officer, Prof. Maduebibisi Iwe.
He said Mbah polled 160, 895 votes to beat Edeoga who garnered 157, 552. Frank Nweke of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, came third with 17, 983 votes.
Reacting, the LP candidate urged his supporters to remain calm as he pursues the course of justice through legal means.
He said “I want to thank the good people of Enugu State who were involved in this political process to see that the will of our people is determined electorally. The will of our people was made manifest in the few elections that have happened.
“First of all, the National Assembly elections where the Labour Party recorded 7 out of 8 wins. So, right now, we have 7 out of 8 House of Representatives seats; the Senate, we have two out of three now; the third one we are in court and we are certain that we are going to get it, because the rigging that gave the PDP victory was manifest. Out of 24 members of the House of Assembly, Labour now has 14, with more to be added when a few shenanigans that were introduced by the INEC electoral officers are resolved. So, electorally, Enugu State has become a Labour Party State. It is a thing of joy and I thank the good people of Enugu State for giving the Labour Party this resounding victory.
“Of course, it flows from what I just said above that the outcome of the governorship election as announced by the INEC after three or four days of delay does not flow along with what I have just enumerated; the victories of the Labour Party in the other elections. The outcome of the guber election, which was handed over to the PDP, with a margin of 3000 votes is not consistent with the electoral victories that were recorded by the Labour Party.
“One can say clearly that this outcome is not in consonance with the wishes and aspirations of the people of Enugu State, their democratic intentions. It is a matter that the people are not happy about; it is a matter that has raised disquiet in Enugu State because it is a clear abortion of their democratic intentions and people have become worried and agitated; tempers are rising but we have done everything possible, we have called our leaders to remain calm and resolute. We are certain that this electoral mess which was orchestrated by a few persons within INEC, both in Enugu and Abuja, will be addressed. We have resolved as a party, as a people, to follow the due process of law to retrieve the mandate. Enugu people have expressed their disquiet.
