The Ebonyi State governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Dr Ifeanyi Odii, has rejected the outcome of last Saturday’s gubernatorial election.

The Independent National Electoral Commission on Monday declared the All Progressives Congress candidate, Francis Nwifuru as the winner of the election.

Reacting to it, Odii in a statement described the outcome of the exercise as “broad day robbery of the peoples mandate,” in the state.

He said, “I thank you for your show of support in coming out to vote en-masse in the March 18 gubernatorial and House of Assembly elections. I remain grateful for your goodwill and belief in our mission to recover Ebonyi state.

“I am saddened by the numerous reports of loss of lives, damage to property and injury to voters and citizens recorded all over the state.

“The Saturday elections have once again exposed the magnitude of our security and governance challenges in Ebonyi State, which has become a standard under the APC-led regime. Undemocratic forces seeking to capture the soul of our society are afraid to face the people in a free and fair election, so they use violence and intimidation to impose their agenda. We cannot allow this unfolding pattern of ‘governance by violence’ to become our new reality.

“I am a man of peace, and violence is not associated with my personality. Events might not be going the way we would like them to, but we must remain calm and look for solutions within the law. We cannot emulate the tactics of the APC regime.

“Though victory may be delayed, it cannot be denied. The people’s mandate remains our mission. We will not be deterred. The Promise of Possibility remains alive and strong. By the grace of God, the will of the people shall prevail.”