The Benue State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has debunked the claims raised by the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Daniel Onjeh, that last Saturday’s election rerun in Benue-South senatorial district was rigged in favour of its candidate, David Mark.
The candidate of the APC had alleged that the election was marred by violence and rigging which prompted him to lead a massive team of
protesters to the INEC office in Markurdi.
Announcing the results on Sunday morning, the Returning Officer, Prof. Ishaku Eneji, declared the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the election, Mr. David Mark, the winner with 84,192 votes against Onjeh’s 71,621.
Onjeh, while reacting called for another rerun, alleging that the election was not free and fair. However, the Publicity Secretary of the PDP in Benue State, Mr. Godwin Ayihe, while reacting to the claim said since the Independent National Electoral Commission could not have brought more election materials than the number of registered voters, Onjeh’s allegation of over-voting was baseless.
Ayihe said Onjeh was crying foul because he could not reconcile himself with the fact that the people of the state had rejected him.
The PDP spokesperson asked Onjeh to accept defeat in good faith.
He said, “
The APC brought out its arsenals and state power against Senator Mark yet they failed because the people of Benue State are tired of the ruling party. The APC is lost in the euphoria of defeat and crying foul because the people have rejected them. If elections are held 100 times in the senatorial district, the PDP would always win.”