The United States has commended the conduct of the recent Edo state governorship election, saying it was widely peaceful.
Gatekeepers News reports that the APC candidate, Monday Okpebholo was declared the winner by INEC after polling 291,667 votes, defeating his closest opponent, Asue Ighodalo, Peoples Democratic Party’s candidate who polled 247,274 votes.
Some people including the opposition party, PDP, and the nonprofit organisation, Yiaga Africa didn’t agree with the result announced by INEC. They said there wasn’t transparency in the election process.
Speaking on the development in a statement released on Tuesday, US Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills on Tuesday, said the election was widely peaceful.
The statement goes, “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 US ambassador added that the country is committed to supporting free, fair, transparent, and credible elections in Nigeria.
