The Chairman of the Labour Party (LP) in Edo State, Mr. Kelly Ogbalo, has alleged that the party would have emerged victorious in the 2024 governorship election had it been free and fair. Speaking to newsmen in Benin on Monday, Ogbalo claimed the election was marred by irregularities, including open vote-buying and manipulation of results, which the security agencies failed to address.
Ogbalo expressed disappointment, stating, “Labour Party won the election but was not allowed to take possession,” highlighting the issues of vote-buying and result manipulation. When asked about the possibility of contesting the results in court, he mentioned that the party had yet to convene a state council meeting to decide.
INEC had declared Senator Monday Okpebholo of the APC as the winner, with 291,667 votes, defeating PDP’s Asue Ighodalo, who garnered 247,274 votes. Labour Party’s candidate, Olumide Akpata, came third with 22,763 votes.