As reported by DAILY POST, a recent declaration from 25 observer groups expressed dissatisfaction with the way the last Edo State governorship election was conducted, saying it fell short of expectations. Due to purported irregularities in the results collation process, the election, which took place last Saturday, was called into question. The groups, through spokespeople Mrs. Rose Akhigbe, Peter Nwokolo, Anyasor Gabriel, and Sunny Elekwa, released a statement.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
The statement expressed dissatisfaction with how results were handled at certain levels, claiming that the process did not comply with the 2022 Electoral Act.
While the groups acknowledged the transparency of results at over 4,500 polling units and some wards, they rejected the results collated at ward and local government levels.
These results were compiled at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Benin City, which the groups said was against the law.
The observers raised concerns about the existence of two sets of result sheets, one reportedly sent to the field and another to the All Progressive Congress (APC) in parts of Edo North, South, and Central.
They alleged that security forces, including the military and police, disrupted the collation process at ward and local government levels.
According to the observers, this disruption involved intimidating INEC officials, violating the Electoral Act and INEC guidelines.
The groups rejected the final result that declared Senator Monday Okpebholo of the APC as the winner.
They claimed the election was marred by militarization, impunity, and a failure to follow the legal procedures for collation.
“We reject the result declared because there are two sets of result sheets. One was taken to the field and another one to APC in Edo North, some parts of Edo South and Edo Central.”
“We observed that the military and police disrupted the collation of results at the wards and local governments’ collation centres, including intimidation of INEC officials that collated results contrary to the provisions of the Electoral Act and INEC guidelines. There is significant concern about the credibility of the results collation process.“
“We reject the result of the election which declared the All Progressive Congress APC candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo winner. There was militarization and use of impunity at wards, local governments and state collation centres. INEC, military and police have violated the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 concerning the collation of results in the governorship election. Results were only collated at units and some wards,” the statement partly reads.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
