A coalition of accredited civil society organizations (CSOs) has rejected the outcome of the Edo State governorship election held on September 21, 2024, raising concerns about the transparency and integrity of the electoral process.
In a joint statement, the coalition, which includes the Advocacy for Quality Leadership and Health Awareness Foundation and the Grassroot Development and Peace Initiative, expressed dissatisfaction with the collation of results by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Although the CSOs noted that the election process at over 4,500 polling units was generally satisfactory, they rejected the results announced at the ward and local government levels.
Key members of the coalition, including Mrs. Rose Akhigbe, Comrade Peter Nwokolo, Engr. Anyasor Gabriel, and Comrade Sunny Elekwa, accused INEC of violating provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 during the collation process. According to Nwokolo, “INEC complied with the Electoral Act at the polling units but violated it during the collation.”
The coalition further claimed that there were discrepancies between the results sheets used at polling units and those presented at the collation centers, alleging that these inconsistencies disproportionately benefited the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo. Additionally, the CSOs criticized the involvement of military and police personnel, who they claim disrupted the collation process and intimidated INEC officials.
“There was militarization and use of impunity at wards, local governments, and state collation centers,” the statement added, casting doubt on the credibility of the final election results, which declared APC’s Senator Okpebholo as the winner.
The coalition called for a comprehensive review of the election process to restore public trust in Nigeria’s democratic practices, emphasizing the need for electoral reforms to prevent future irregularities.
The coalition comprises various organizations, including the Citizens Rights and Leadership Awareness Initiative, Centre for Development & Transformation Initiative, Initiative for Peace, Humanity, and Social Advancement for Women, and the Amazon Women of Substance Initiative, among others.
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