Edo 2024: Did Aziegbemi Accuse Presidency, Ribadu of Rigging Plan? Fact Emerges

• Some media reports, not by Legit.ng, claimed that the Edo state PDP chairman, Dr Anthony Aziegbemi, accused the presidency and the NSA of planning to manipulate the upcoming governorship election
• However, findings have shown that the statement attributed to the Edo PDP chairman was forged
• Aziegbemi has distanced himself from the statement, which he described as false and the work of mischief makers, urging the public to disregard it

Benin City, Edo state - A viral media report on Sunday, September 15, claimed that the chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo state, Dr Anthony Aziegbemi, accused the Presidency and Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) of planning to manipulate the September 21 governorship election in the state.

The report further claimed that Aziegbemi said the presidency had released $2m to compromise Independent National Electoral Commission officials and security operatives and buy votes.

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Reacting to the purported statement, the presidency dismissed the interference claims, describing them as baseless.

The National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu, also threatened legal action and demanded an apology from the Edo PDP chairman, Aziegbemi, for allegedly accusing him of planning to rig the election.

Ribadu's lawyers refuted the allegation as false and damaging to his reputation, demanding a retraction, an apology, and N10 billion in damages.

Did Aziegbemi accuse presidency, Ribadu of rigging plan?

Findings have, however, shown that the statement attributed to the Edo PDP chairman was manipulated and did not emanate from him.

Checks by Legit.ng show that the statement was forged using an old template usually used by PDP. The opposition party has since switched to another type of letterhead, as seen below.

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Edo 2024: Aziegbemi comments on forged statement

Reacting to the development, Edo PDP chairman Aziegbemi strongly distanced himself from the purported statement, describing it as the "handiwork of irresponsible mischief makers" and calling on Nigerians to disregard it entirely.

He attributed the false statement to opponents who "have nothing to offer the people" and are attempting to derail his party's campaign through "falsehood and negative propaganda".

"In this election season, all sorts of false statements and forged documents, mischievously ascribed to us, are peddled by persons who do not mean well for our campaign," he said.

PDP committed to responsible campaigning

The PDP chairman reaffirmed the party's commitment to responsible campaigning, stating that they "will not issue such a reckless statement" and will continue to work towards maintaining the trust of the people and winning the mandate overwhelmingly.

Read his full statement below:

"A statement purportedly signed by me, accusing the Presidency and Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) of planning to manipulate the September 21 governorship election in Edo State, circulating on social media, was not issued by me.

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"In this election season, all sorts of false statements and forged documents, mischievously ascribed to us, are peddled by persons who do not mean well for our campaign. This is the handiwork of such irresponsible mischief makers which should be disregarded in its entirety.

"We will not put this sort of behaviour past certain opponents who have nothing to offer the people and believe that the only chance they have in this election is by circulating falsehood and negative propaganda to derail our campaign.

"We call on all well meaning Nigerians to totally disregard this false statement.

"The PDP is a responsible party and will not issue such a reckless statement. We will continue to work tirelessly to maintain the trust, and overwhelmingly win the mandate of our people."

“We’ll protect votes with our blood,” PDP chairman says

Meanwhile, the acting national chairman of the PDP, Illiya Damagum, said on Saturday, September 14, that party members will use their blood to defend their votes in the September 21 governorship election in Edo state.

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This is even as he warned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) against the midnight announcement of the election results.

Damagum said this during the grand finale of the PDP campaign in Edo state.

Source: Legit.ng