Obaseki Reacts as INEC Officially Announces APC as Winner of Edo Governorship Election
- Edo governor, Godwin Obaseki, has asked citizens in the state to maintain calm and not resort to violence and destruction of property
- Obaseki made the call in his brief broadcast while reacting to the declaration of Monday Okpebholo, candidate of the APC, as the winner of the 2024 governorship election
- The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had on Sunday, September 22, announced Okpebholo winner of the election amid allegations of electoral fraud by the ruling PDP
Legit.ng journalist, Ridwan Adeola Yusuf, has over 9 years of experience covering politics and elections in Nigeria.
Benin City, Edo state - Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo has appealed to residents to remain calm after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced the All Progressives Congress (APC's) Monday Okpebholo as the winner of the state's 2024 governorship election.
Obaseki, whose preferred candidate Asue Ighodalo, lost, insisted that the election was marred with disregard for processes and the rule of law. He hinted that his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), might seek legal redress.
Source: Twitter
The governor reacted on Sunday night, September 22, minutes after Professor Faruk Adamu Kuta, the returning officer (RO) for the election in Edo state and vice-chancellor of the Federal University of Technology (FUTMinna), announced Okpebholo as the winner.
Obaseki said:
“Clearly, it is obvious to the least discerning, the amount of impunity and reckless disregard for processes and law that was displayed in this gubernatorial election.
“In a democracy, there are safeguards for addressing grievances, and we hope that those affected will seek resolution for this blatant disregard of law and process.
“With this in mind, I implore all Edo people to go about their lawful businesses and rest assured of the commitment of our government to your wellbeing and security.”
Watch the governor's full speech below:
'APC may use Edo template in Ondo' - Expert
Meanwhile, Segun Akinleye, a public affairs analyst, expressed his displeasure with the electoral process.
Akinleye warned that the coming Ondo state governorship election “will be worse”.
He told Legit.ng:
“The PDP candidate put in the work. He was everywhere campaigning, meeting people; from one ward to the other, soliciting people’s votes. The other guy (Okpebholo) was just running; he ran away from all interviews. So, the person that put in all the work was unsuccessful in his gubernatorial bid.
“So what they are telling political office aspirants is that you don't need to campaign, ‘just do whatever it takes to win the election'.”
Edo: Igbokwe suggests PDP lost
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that a popular chieftain of the APC, Joe Igbokwe, suggested that the ruling PDP lost the 2024 Edo state governorship election.
In a post on his known Facebook page, Igbokwe, a former spokesperson of the APC in Lagos, posted a picture of Governor Obaseki at the INEC collation centre in Benin City in the wee hours of Sunday, September 22.
Proofreading by James, Ojo Adakole, journalist and copy editor at Legit.ng.
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Source: Legit.ng
