The United States government has officially addressed the recent outcome of the Edo State gubernatorial election, marking an important moment in international engagement with Nigerian electoral processes. In a statement released on Tuesday by the U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills Jr., the American government called upon the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to facilitate and support the processes for contesting the election results, reflecting a commitment to democratic principles.
Ambassador Mills commended the citizens of Edo State for their peaceful conduct during the gubernatorial elections held on September 21, highlighting the significance of maintaining order and civility during the electoral process. The election concluded with INEC declaring Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner, who secured 291,667 votes. He defeated Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who garnered 247,274 votes, and Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party (LP), who finished third with 22,763 votes.
Despite the official results, the main opposition parties have vehemently rejected the outcome, asserting that it does not accurately reflect the will of the electorate and threatening to pursue legal avenues to contest the results. The U.S. Mission in Nigeria emphasized the importance of calm and restraint in light of these developments, stating, “We commend the people of Edo State for the widely peaceful conduct of gubernatorial elections on September 21 and reiterate calls for calm following the announcement of results.”
Furthermore, the statement praised Governor Godwin Obaseki’s appeal for peace, urging all stakeholders involved, including INEC, to uphold established electoral processes and to respect the legal frameworks available for contesting the results. The U.S. government underscored that transparency and adherence to due process are vital for maintaining public confidence in any democratic system.
The United States reaffirmed its commitment to supporting free, fair, transparent, and credible elections in Nigeria, indicating that it will continue to closely monitor the situation as it develops. This statement reflects a broader engagement by the U.S. in promoting democratic values and stability in Nigeria, reinforcing the importance of credible electoral practices.
