Observer groups have raised concerns regarding the recent governorship election in Edo State, held last Saturday, September 21.
News Central reports that at least 25 observer groups indicated that the election did not meet expectations, stating that the collation of results at various levels was inconsistent with the Electoral Act of 2022.
In a related development, about 30 civil society organisations (CSOs), collectively known as the Citizens Memorandum for Electoral Reforms, presented 37 draft recommendations to the National Assembly aimed at revising the 2022 electoral laws.
They supported Yiaga Africa‘s assertion that the election lacked credibility due to manipulated results.
A statement from the observer groups, represented by Mrs. Rose Akhigbe and others, stated their approval of the results from over 4,500 polling units.
However, they condemned the results collated at the INEC state collation centre in Benin City, which they claimed violated legal procedures. They pointed out discrepancies, including the presence of two sets of result sheets and reported military and police interference at collation centres.
The CSOs articulated that the proposals presented were based on comprehensive research and experiences from the 2023 general elections, emphasising urgent reforms to restore public trust in Nigeria’s electoral system.
They focused on critical areas such as improving INEC’s independence, addressing electoral offences, and enhancing voter participation.
The statement reads:
“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 also observed that the military and police disrupted 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 totally reject the result of the election, which declared the All Progressive Congress APC candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo. There was militarisation and use of impunity at wards, local governments and state collation centres.
“INEC, military and police have clearly violated the provisions of Electoral Act 2022 concerning the collation of results in governorship election. Results were only collated at units and some wards.”
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has also voiced its rejection of the election outcome, labelling it the worst conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Deputy Director-General of the Asue/Ogie Campaign Management Council, Olu Martins, alleged that INEC and security agencies contributed to electoral irregularities. He claimed that the election was initially conducted fairly until the collation process shifted to the INEC state office.