The Edo Youth Vanguard has sounded the alarm over an alleged plot to burn down the Benin City office of the Independent National Electoral Commission.
This comes amidst controversy surrounding the recent governorship election in Edo State.
In a statement on Tuesday, signed by Friday Eriki, the Edo Youth Vanguard said the PDP legal team had been denied access to electoral materials used in the September 21 governorship election.
The election saw Senator Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress declared the winner with 291,667 votes, while Peoples Democratic Party candidate Asue Ighodalo came second with 247,274 votes, according to Daily Post.
However, the PDP has rejected the results, alleging rigging in favour of the APC, and has taken the matter to court.
The party’s legal team has reportedly been denied access to electoral materials from the September 21 governorship election.
The Edo Youth Vanguard claims that thugs chased away the PDP legal team and that there are fears of an attempt to destroy evidence by burning down the INEC office. In a suspicious incident, four fire trucks were spotted near the INEC office on Monday night.
The tribunal has ordered INEC to provide the necessary documents to the PDP legal team, but the group alleges that the APC and INEC are frustrating their efforts to meet the deadline. The PDP has until Friday to file all necessary documents and materials before the tribunal.
Tensions remain high in Edo State, with PDP supporters protesting outside the INEC office in Benin City, demanding a reversal of the election results. The situation is being closely monitored.
“Besides using thugs to chase away the PDP legal team, there are fears of burning down INEC office to wipe away evidence.
“Already as at late night on Monday, four fire trucks were spotted parked around Ramat Park, a shouting distance from the INEC office,” the group said.
