U.S. GOVERNMENT FLAGS “SERIOUS LAPSES” IN EDO ELECTION
The United States has expressed strong concerns over the integrity of the Edo State governorship election held on September 21, 2024. The U.S. Mission in Nigeria released a statement on Friday, criticizing what it described as “serious lapses” in the election’s collation process, which culminated in the declaration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, as the winner.
Citing reports from the civil society organisation Kimpact Development Initiative and the Ballot Integrity Project (BIP), the U.S. Mission pointed to glaring inconsistencies, including 29,053 unaccounted ballots and evidence of over-voting in at least 382 polling units. Even after collation, the report stated, 20,167 ballots remained missing.
While a three-man tribunal chaired by Justice Wilfred Kpochi dismissed the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Asue Ighodalo, the U.S. appeared to contradict the court’s position by referencing the civil society findings. The U.S. also reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and due process, with Ambassador Richard Mills reiterating the need to restore public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
In a related development, the U.S. government has reportedly imposed visa restrictions on judges and politicians believed to have undermined Nigeria’s democratic process, including Chief Justice of Nigeria Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, over a controversial 2020 ruling in Imo State.
PDP REJECTS EDO TRIBUNAL RULING, VOWS TO PURSUE APPEAL
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected the judgment delivered by the Edo State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, which upheld the victory of APC candidate Monday Okpebholo. The PDP described the ruling as a “miscarriage of justice” and announced it would challenge the decision at the Court of Appeal.
PDP’s Edo State Chairman, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, said the judgment ignored “overwhelming facts” and instead relied on technicalities to dismiss the claims brought forward by the PDP and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo. He accused the tribunal of acting like a “fourth respondent,” siding with the APC and INEC against the will of the people.
Ighodalo’s camp maintains that he won the majority of valid votes and accused INEC of disregarding its own electoral guidelines. The party insists that the mandate of Edo voters remains with Ighodalo and that the legal battle will continue until justice is served.
OKPEBHOLO REVEALS RELUCTANT ENTRY INTO POLITICS
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has revealed that his political journey began reluctantly, stating that the APC pleaded with him to contest for Senate in the 2023 general election. Speaking at a Sunday event, Okpebholo explained that he had no prior interest in politics but was motivated by a desire to develop his community.
“No one wanted to contest for the Senate under APC. Three people came to my house and begged me to run,” he said. “Today, that rejected stone has become the cornerstone.”
The governor predicted a coming political realignment in the South-South region, suggesting more leaders would begin aligning with the federal government’s transformation agenda under President Bola Tinubu. He described the trend as a new era of political consolidation and development-focused governance.
LABOUR PARTY’S AKPATA SAYS HE REFUSED TO CHALLENGE EDO POLL
Former Nigerian Bar Association president and Labour Party (LP) candidate in the Edo governorship election, Olumide Akpata, has explained why he chose not to challenge the election outcome in court. In a statement issued on October 21, 2024, Akpata said his decision stemmed from a desire not to “legitimize a fundamentally compromised process.”
Akpata, who came third with 22,763 votes, described the electoral process as riddled with vote-buying, procedural anomalies, and systemic bias. He argued that election tribunals often place an “insurmountable” burden of proof on petitioners, and that INEC’s dual role as both custodian of materials and a party to litigation made effective legal redress difficult.
“Instead of engaging in a prolonged and fruitless legal battle,” Akpata said, “I’ve chosen to focus on broader electoral reform to address the root causes of these democratic failures.”
EDO GOVERNMENT MOVES TO RECLAIM OIL WELLS CEDED TO DELTA STATE
The Edo State Government has initiated a process to reclaim oil wells in the Orogho community of Orhionmwon Local Government Area, which were recently ceded to neighbouring Delta State. Deputy Governor Dennis Idahosa led a delegation to the disputed area, meeting with community leaders and representatives of Seplat Energy PLC.
Speaking during the visit, Idahosa assured the people of Orogho that the government would pursue all legal and diplomatic channels to ensure that the oil assets remain under Edo’s jurisdiction. He lamented that despite decades of oil exploration, the community remains underdeveloped and largely neglected.
Local youth leader Charles Eghaghe said the community had been receiving royalties from Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) since 1993, but the arrangement changed under Seplat’s management. He urged the state to take swift action to restore the area’s rights and protect its natural wealth.
KANO AND EDO TO DISCUSS COMPENSATION FOR 16 HUNTERS KILLED IN UROMI
The Kano State Government has confirmed plans to begin discussions with the Edo State Government to determine compensation for the families of 16 hunters killed by a mob in Uromi last month. The state’s Commissioner for Information, Comrade Ibrahim Waiya, said the talks would be led by Kano’s Deputy Governor, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo.
Waiya revealed that while no specific amount had been decided, the families had received visits from both state governments and were promised justice. He also noted that most of those calling for retaliation were not relatives of the victims and cautioned the media to verify the credibility of sources making inflammatory statements.
To prevent further violence, the Kano government has set up a peace delegation including human rights organisations and community leaders. Edo State has reportedly agreed to compensate the victims’ families. Additionally, the Department of State Services has arrested two more suspects linked to the killings, bringing the total number in custody to 16.
Officials say the collaboration aims to address root causes of the violence, including dismantling unregulated vigilante groups and fostering peaceful coexistence between communities.
