PDP Rejects Kogi By-Election After APC Declared Winner With ‘Inflated’ 55,073 Votes
In a statement signed by state chairman Enemona Anyebe, the PDP alleged that no election was held in over 98% of polling units. It accused the All Progressives Congress (APC), security operatives, and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of colluding to hijack electoral materials.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kogi State has rejected the results of the August 16 bye-election in Okura State Constituency, Dekina Local Government Area, describing the exercise as fraudulent and demanding outright cancellation.
According to the PDP, its candidate, Hon. Meliga Godwin, confronted INEC officials during the poll but was told the Commission lacked security cover to address irregularities. Anyebe added that the Kogi Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) admitted being aware of the situation and had contacted the police, yet INEC still went ahead to declare results.
The PDP questioned the credibility of the figures, noting that while the APC scored 8,549 votes in the 2023 general election, it was suddenly credited with 55,073 votes in the bye-election despite alleged low voter turnout.
Anyebe argued that the statistical impossibility and contradictions including the REC’s own admission of low turnout on live TV were enough to nullify the process.
“The PDP rejects in its entirety the purported results announced by INEC in respect of the Okura bye-election,” the statement read, calling for immediate cancellation and a fresh, credible election conducted in strict compliance with the Constitution and Electoral Act.
