Politics
PDP Women Protest and Demand Edo Election Justice
More than two weeks after the off-cycle governorship election in Edo State, the women’s wing of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken to the streets in a peaceful protest, rejecting the outcome of the election and demanding the declaration of their candidate, Asue Ighodalo, as the rightful winner.
The women, dressed in black to symbolize their mourning, accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of stealing their candidate’s victory and handing it over to the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo.
The protest, which drew a large crowd of women, took place across several major streets in Benin City.
The protesters carried placards with bold inscriptions, calling for the removal of the Edo State Resident Electoral Commissioner and accusing INEC of colluding with the police to manipulate the election results in favor of the APC.
Messages on their placards included phrases such as “Edo PDP won the election, but INEC and police colluded to change it” and “INEC sack Edo State Resident Electoral Commissioner.”
The women also marched to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Edo State Council, seeking media attention for their cause.
Speaking on behalf of the women, Hon. Stella Okoro, a former chairman of Esan West Local Government Council, expressed the deep disappointment and frustration felt by the PDP women.
She claimed that their candidate, Asue Ighodalo, was the legitimate winner of the governorship election but was denied his mandate through what she described as a conspiracy between INEC and security forces.
Okoro stressed that the protest would continue until justice was served, adding that the women were determined to fight for the restoration of their stolen mandate.
“We are here today at NUJ to express our feelings, our pain,” Okoro said. “We are troubled because our mandate was stolen.
Edo people came out to vote for Asue Ighodalo, and now we, the mothers of Edo, are out here in black, mourning the injustice done to us.
We are not lions and tigers; we voted peacefully. Give us back our stolen mandate.”
She further alleged that the APC candidate had used intimidation tactics during the election, including deploying soldiers and police to arrest and harass PDP supporters.
“Our people were intimidated, arrested, and taken to Abuja. Some were held at the State CID. We fought hard to bring them back.
Despite all this, Edo people still voted for Asue Ighodalo and Osarodion Ogie, but their victory was stolen.
We will not rest until INEC gives us what is rightfully ours. The Almighty God is hearing our voices,” she added.
Also lending her voice to the protest, Lady Meg Agbokhai, the Oredo Women Leader of the PDP, vowed that the party’s women would do everything within their power to reclaim the mandate given to Ighodalo and Ogie.
She stressed that the PDP had worked tirelessly during the campaign, visiting all 192 wards in Edo State to rally support for their candidate.
According to her, the overwhelming turnout of voters on election day was proof that the people had chosen Ighodalo as their next governor.
“We are not violent people,” Agbokhai said. “We do not have lions or tigers; human beings came out to vote for the PDP.
We toured the entire state and worked hard to earn the trust of the people. Now, we are calling on INEC, the police, and everyone involved to give us back our mandate.
We labored for this victory, and we will not allow it to be taken from us. Edo people are mourning, and we will continue to cry out until justice is done.”
The protest by the PDP women has drawn attention to the controversies surrounding the Edo governorship election, which has been marred by allegations of electoral malpractices and manipulation.
The women’s demand for justice reflects the growing discontent within the PDP, as party members continue to call for a review of the election process and a fair outcome for their candidate.
The protest also highlights the role of women in political activism, as they have stepped forward to lead the charge in seeking justice for what they believe was a stolen mandate.
Senator Abba Moro, representing Benue South and serving as the Senate Minority Leader, has voiced strong support for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as it works to rebuild and prepare for the 2027 general elections. Speaking at the party’s 99th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on Tuesday, May 27, 2027, in Abuja, Moro said PDP lawmakers in the National Assembly fully back the efforts of the party’s leadership, including the National Working Committee, Board of Trustees, governors, and other key figures.
“We believe in the plans being rolled out by our leaders. These activities will lead us to a successful national convention,” he said. Moro was optimistic about the future of the party, urging members and supporters to stay hopeful. “There’s no better time to remind Nigerians that the PDP is coming back,” he said with confidence.
While acknowledging that the party has lost some members recently, he described those defections as only short-term challenges, insisting that the PDP still holds the strongest nationwide presence. He reminded the gathering of how the party started with just 16 individuals determined to shape Nigeria’s democratic future, and encouraged everyone to remain united and focused. “Nigeria needs an alternative,” Moro said. “And that alternative is the PDP.”
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has raised serious concerns about the worsening insecurity and declining economy under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. This was a key point during the PDP’s 99th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held on Tuesday in Abuja. The party also said it would carefully consider the South-East caucus’s resolutions at a special meeting scheduled for June 30, 2025. The NEC meeting, which faced several delays before finally taking place, focused on urgent issues affecting the country and the party.
In a statement read by Acting National Chairman Iliya Damagum, the PDP criticized the current government for what it called growing insecurity, economic struggles, and widespread corruption. The statement described the Tinubu-led administration as exploitative and out of touch with the people’s needs. It condemned inconsistent policies, corruption, budget misuse, and the loss of investor confidence, which have led to a decline in Nigeria’s infrastructure.
The PDP also accused the government of trying to weaken opposition parties by intimidating politicians and undermining democratic institutions. Despite these challenges, the party reaffirmed its commitment to democracy, the rule of law, and the people’s right to freely participate in a multi-party political system. The PDP made it clear that it will continue to stand against any moves to limit Nigeria’s democracy or create a one-party system.
Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have declared that they won’t be shaken by any form of intimidation from the Federal Government. Speaking at the party’s 99th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja, the governors accused the current administration of using pressure tactics and exclusion to weaken the party. But they made it clear—they’re not backing down.
Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, who also chairs the PDP Governors Forum, said the Tinubu-led government has created a political environment filled with provocations and hurdles. He admitted that the party has faced defections and ongoing talks about alliances, but insisted that PDP is still strong and united.
“No kind of pressure or manipulation has been left out,” he said. “But we’re still here, standing firm in our commitment to good governance.” He pointed out that unlike other parties that are battling internal divisions, the PDP has managed to stay united. “We are not like the others with constant in-fighting. We remain one family,” he said.
Governor Mohammed also highlighted how the party has been staying active by holding meetings across several states and releasing communiqués that tackle key national issues. He mentioned recent gatherings in Plateau, Taraba, Oyo, Delta, Akwa Ibom, and Bauchi as proof that the party is not fading away. He praised party leaders for their resilience and described the NEC meeting as a clear victory for democracy and responsible leadership in the face of growing national challenges.
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