By Mike ALADENIKA.
The Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the September 19, 2020 Governorship Election in Edo State, Pastor Osagie IZE-IYAMU has ruled out the possibility of his challenging the outcome of the election at the tribunal.
IZE-IYAMU who made this known in Benin in a press statement he issued and made available to newsmen said "Contrary to orchestrated media reports, the election was neither free nor fair. There were several episodes of violence, voter intimidation and falsification of results. In particular, there were unlawful cancellations of results particularly from Urhonigbe South and North in Orhiomwon, while results were falsified from many polling units in Ofunama in Ovia South West, and in parts of Ovia North East, Owan West, Oredo, Egor, Ikpoba-Okha, Esan North East, Esan West, Esan South East, and Uhunmwode Local Government Areas."
Pastor Osagie IZE-IYAMU further said "two persons were killed during the election, while gun-wielding thugs took over collation centres in many locations without the intervention of law-enforcement agents. There were also several cases of malfunctioning card readers, which disenfranchised duly registered voters, in addition to many cases of unregistered voters voting with pre-purchased voters' cards not collected by their actual owners."
The APC Governorship Candidate in the election then said "These malpractices could easily have formed the basis to challenge the election results. We have however decided not to commence an election petition. This is to avoid further tension in the state. We are also mindful that the leadership of our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and many well-placed individuals have made pronouncements endorsing the process, which we have chosen to respect."
Nonetheless, we must emphasize that elections are far more than actual voting, just as democracy includes more than just elections. It is in this light that we draw attention to the fact that there are pre Election matters pending in varrious courts which we intend to pursue to it's logical conclusion.
Pastor Ize iyamu said "the outcome of these pending cases have direct effect on the election. Consequently, we have decided to continue with our pre-election cases in full exercise of our legal rights, just as our opponents have considered it their prerogative to also continue with their pre-election cases against us".
#SPARKNEWSNAIJA(SNN).
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