From Moshood Karim
Benin City, the capital of Edo State, witnessed a total shutdown on Tuesday as hundreds of women took to the streets to protest the alleged manipulation of the just-concluded Edo gubernatorial election.
The protesters, mainly members and supporters of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), marched in solidarity, demanding the restoration of what they described as their “stolen mandate.”
Starting their protest from the PDP State Secretariat on Airport Road, the women, dressed in all black to symbolise their anger and disappointment, carried placards with strong messages, expressing discontent with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Their march took them to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre in Benin and later to the Edo State House of Assembly, where they continued to call on INEC to address the irregularities they claim marred the election results.
Leading the protest were prominent PDP leaders, including former Esan West Council Chairman Chief Stella Okoro, Edo South PDP Senatorial Women Leader Hon. Pat West, and Oredo PDP Women Leader Hon. Meg Aigbokhiae.
These women echoed the sentiment that the Edo electorate did not vote for “incompetence” or individuals with an agenda that would lead to insecurity in the state.
Chief Stella Okoro, addressing the large crowd, declared, “All we want is our mandate. Edo people voted for Asue and Ogie. There is no way we would choose retrogression and insecurity over progress.”
At the NUJ Press Centre, Comrade Andy Egbon, Secretary of the NUJ Edo State Council, received the protesters and promised to help take their message beyond Edo State. He encouraged the women to maintain their peaceful demonstration while pledging media support for their cause.
The protest continued to the Edo State House of Assembly, where the group was received by the Majority Leader, Hon. Charity Aiguobarueghian.
She commended the women for their orderly conduct and assured them that their message would be relayed to the necessary authorities. “Your message will be delivered, and we stand by you in this call for justice,” Hon. Charity said.
Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, the PDP State Chairman, addressed the protesters at the end of their march, expressing his gratitude for their dedication to restoring the party’s mandate. He described their effort as a significant sacrifice for the State’s democracy.
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