- The US Mission in Nigeria urged INEC to uphold legal processes regarding the Edo gubernatorial election results and called for calm among citizens
- US Ambassador Richard Mills emphasized the importance of transparency and due process to maintain public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic system
The United States Mission in Nigeria has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to uphold the legal processes for challenging the outcome of the recent gubernatorial election in Edo State. In a statement released on Tuesday, US Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills Jr., also urged the people of Edo State to remain calm.
INEC had declared Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the highly contested governorship election held on Saturday, September 21, 2024. However, the main opposition parties have rejected the results, claiming they do not reflect the will of the voters and have threatened to seek redress in court.
The US Mission commended the people of Edo State for the generally peaceful conduct of the election and reiterated the importance of maintaining peace following the announcement of the results. “We commend Governor Godwin Obaseki’s call for peace and urge all stakeholders, including INEC, to support established electoral processes and respect legal procedures for challenging the results,” the statement read.
The US government emphasized transparency and adherence to due process are vital for maintaining public confidence in any democratic system. It reaffirmed its commitment to supporting free, fair, transparent, and credible elections in Nigeria and assured it would continue monitoring the situation closely.
The call from the US Mission highlights the need for all parties involved to respect the rule of law and utilize legal channels to resolve disputes, as this is crucial for the stability and democratic integrity of Edo State and Nigeria as a whole.