US Lauds Edo Election, Reaffirms Commitment To Transparent Electoral Process

The United States (US) on Tuesday lauded the widely peaceful conduct of the Edo State gubernatorial elections and called for calm.

The US Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills Jr. in a statement issued on Tuesday equally commended Governor Godwin Obaseki’s appeal for peace and urged all stakeholders including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to support established electoral processes and respect legal procedures to challenge results.

He further stated that transparency and due process are crucial to maintaining public confidence in any democratic system, reaffirming the United States commitment to supporting free, fair, transparent, and credible elections in Nigeria, noting that it will continue to monitor the situation closely.

He said, “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.

“We commend Governor Obaseki’s appeal for peace and urge all stakeholders, including INEC, to support established electoral processes and respect legal procedures to challenge results.

“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 All Progressives Congress candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo emerged victorious in the recently concluded Edo State governorship election.

Okpebholo triumphed over his main challengers, Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party and Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party.

The Returning Officer, Prof. Faruk Kuta, announced Okpebholo as the winner at the collation centre in Benin City, the state capital, on Sunday.

The APC candidate secured 291,667 votes, defeating Ighodalo, who garnered 247,274 votes. Akpata of the LP finished a distant third with 22,763 votes.

Edo State, comprising 18 Local Government Areas, is divided into Edo North, Edo South, and Edo Central. Traditionally, Edo North has been an APC stronghold, while the PDP has maintained dominance in Edo Central and Edo South.