The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State on Tuesday called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and its Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, to boost voters’ confidence and assure the credibility of the bye-elections for the Edo Central Senatorial District and Ovia Federal Constituency.

The opposition party made the call in Benin following the appeal for a credible, fair, open, and transparent election ahead of the August 16th bye-elections.

This is contained in a statement signed by Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, Chairman, Edo PDP Caretaker Committee, and made available to newsmen in Benin.

Azeigbemi stated that the call was necessary because the PDP in Edo State is highly prepared for the polls and confident of emerging victorious.

Azeigbemi observed that the areas in contention are traditional strongholds of the PDP, emphasising that with the calibre and credentials of its candidates, along with the support of the people, including party supporters and members, the PDP is definitely assured of victory at the polls.

The party also demanded that some electoral officers at the state office be redeployed due to their alleged backgrounds, claiming they have been compromised by their roles in the 2024 Edo governorship election.

The statement reads, “We, however, want to express displeasure about some electoral officers whom we are aware, from their antecedents, have been compromised. We unequivocally demand the immediate redeployment of the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), due to his ignoble role in the last governorship election.

“His actions during the last gubernatorial polls undermined the credibility and integrity of the electoral process, and we can not allow such an official to oversee the forthcoming bye-elections in Edo State.

“The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and its Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu must, as a matter of urgency, meet this demand and boost voters’ confidence and assure the credibility of the process.”

“We also demand that the Electoral Officers (EOs) during the 2024 gubernatorial election who were in Oredo, Ikpoba-Okha, Egor, Etsako West, Etsako East, and Akoko Edo steer clear of the bye-elections. Their involvement in the irregularities that marred the last governorship election makes their participation unacceptable,” Aziegbemi said.

Recall that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had recently announced August 16th, 2025, as the date for the bye-elections in the country.