Over two weeks after the Edo State off-cycle governorship election, women from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took to the streets in a peaceful protest. Their demand was simple: declare Asue Ighodalo, the PDP candidate, as the rightful winner of the election.
Dressed in black to symbolize mourning, the women accused the electoral commission of stealing their mandate. They claimed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) handed the victory to the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, instead of the true winner, Ighodalo.
Determined to reclaim what they believe is rightfully theirs, the women vowed to continue protesting until Ighodalo’s mandate is restored. They carried placards with strong messages like “INEC Sack Edo State Resident Electoral Commissioner” and “Edo PDP won the election but INEC and police colluded to change it.” Their protest covered major streets in Benin City and reached the premises of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
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Hon. Stella Okoro, the spokesperson for the women and a former chairman of Esan West Local Government Council, spoke passionately to journalists. She expressed the group’s frustration, alleging that the PDP candidate, Asue Ighodalo, was robbed of his win. “We are here because of our stolen mandate. Edo people voted for Ighodalo, and as mothers, we are in mourning. We want what belongs to us,” she said.
Okoro further accused security forces of intimidating PDP supporters during the election, recalling how many were arrested and taken to Abuja or the State CID. Despite the challenges, she emphasized that the people of Edo had chosen Ighodalo and his running mate, Osarodion Ogie, as their leaders. “We won’t rest until they return our mandate. God is hearing our cry,” she added.
Lady Meg Agbokhai, leader of the Oredo women, echoed these sentiments. She stressed that the PDP had worked hard, campaigning across all 192 wards in Edo State, and had earned the people’s votes. “We labored for this victory, and we won. We are begging those in power to return our mandate. The people of Edo are in mourning because of this injustice,” Agbokhai said.
The women pledged to continue their fight to reclaim the election victory they believe was stolen from their candidate.
