TROUBLE In Edo As US Finally Breaks Silence On Election Result, Send Crucial Message To INEC; See What Was Announced
The United States government has officially addressed the aftermath of the recent Edo State gubernatorial election, calling for a peaceful and lawful resolution to disputes surrounding the results. The election, held on September 21, 2024, saw a high level of participation and concluded with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declaring Monday Okpebholo, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as the winner. However, the election results have sparked controversy and rejection from opposition parties, prompting calls for legal action.
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In a statement issued by the U. S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills Jr. , on Tuesday, the American government lauded the people of Edo State for conducting themselves peacefully during the election process. Ambassador Mills emphasized that transparency and due process are essential to maintaining the integrity of any democratic system. He also stressed that all stakeholders, including INEC, should uphold established procedures for contesting electoral outcomes through legal means.
The gubernatorial race in Edo State was highly competitive. INEC reported that Monday Okpebholo of the APC secured victory with 291, 667 votes, defeating his closest rival, Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who garnered 247, 274 votes. Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party (LP) finished a distant third with 22, 763 votes. Despite INEC’ s declaration, the opposition parties have rejected the results, asserting that they do not accurately reflect the will of the electorate. Both the PDP and LP have announced their intention to challenge the outcome in court, casting a cloud of uncertainty over the election.
The U. S. statement underscored the importance of maintaining peace in the aftermath of the election. ” The U. S. Mission in Nigeria commends the people of Edo State for the widely peaceful conduct of gubernatorial elections on September 21 and reiterates calls for calm following the announcement of results, ” the statement read. Ambassador Mills also applauded the efforts of the outgoing governor, Godwin Obaseki, who called for peace in the state amid rising tensions. His appeal, along with the encouragement from the U. S. , is seen as a critical move in preventing potential unrest.
The U. S. government’ s call for adherence to legal channels in contesting the election results is a reminder of the need for transparency and accountability in the democratic process. ” We commend Governor Godwin Obaseki’ s appeal for peace and urge all stakeholders, including INEC, to support established electoral processes and respect legal procedures to challenge results, ” the statement added.
Furthermore, the U. S. reaffirmed its commitment to promoting free, fair, and credible elections in Nigeria. The statement emphasized that the U. S. would continue to monitor the situation closely, highlighting the importance of due process in maintaining public trust in electoral systems. ” Transparency and due process are crucial to maintaining public confidence in any democratic system. The United States reaffirms our commitment to supporting free, fair, transparent, and credible elections in Nigeria and will continue to monitor the situation closely, ” the statement concluded.
As the political atmosphere in Edo State remains tense, all eyes are on how the legal challenges will unfold. INEC’ s role in managing post- election disputes will be critical in ensuring the election’ s legitimacy is preserved. Both local and international stakeholders, including the United States, are keenly observing the process, hoping for a resolution that respects the rule of law and reflects the true will of the people.