The Edo Youth Vanguard has raised the alarm over alleged plots by thugs loyal to a serving senator to burn the Benin City office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The plot the stated, is to destroy all evidence to be presented in court to challenge the victory of the the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate, Sen. Monday Okpebhole.
In a statement on Tuesday, by Friday Eriki, the Edo Youth Vanguard alleged that the proof stems from the denial of the PDP legal team to have access to the electoral materials used in the September 21 governorship election.
“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.
According to the group, “it is strange to have fire trucks at the area”, linking the development to sinister moves to deny the PDP opportunity to have evidence to pursue their case at the tribunal.
The tribunal has ordered INEC to provide the PDP legal team necessary documents to aid their case.
Meanwhile, the PDP has up to Friday to file all necessary documents and materials before the tribunal.
The group alleged the APC, with the assistance of INEC, is frustrating every effort to meet the deadline.
Recall that Okpebholo was declared winner of the election with 291,667 votes, according to the result announced by INEC while the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) and its candidate Asue Ighodalo, came second with 247,274 votes.
However, Ighodalo and the PDP are challenging the outcome of the election, alleging that the poll was rigged in favour of the APC.
