At least 25 observer groups on Wednesday expressed dissatisfaction with the recent Edo State governorship election, stating that the process fell below expectations. The groups, represented by Mrs. Rose Akhigbe, Peter Nwokolo, Anyasor Gabriel, and Sunny Elekwa, criticized the collation of results at various levels, noting non-compliance with the Electoral Act of 2022.
While the observers acknowledged that over 4,500 polling unit results and some wards were processed satisfactorily, they condemned the collation of ward and local government results at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Benin City, arguing it was against legal provisions.
The joint statement highlighted concerns over discrepancies, alleging that different sets of result sheets were used—one for polling stations and another for the All Progressive Congress (APC) in areas like Edo North, South, and Central.
"We observed military and police interference at ward and local government collation centers, which included the intimidation of INEC officials," the statement said. The observers questioned the integrity of the results, claiming the process had been compromised.
The groups rejected the election result, which declared APC candidate Senator Monday Okpebholo the winner, pointing to heavy militarization and violations of the Electoral Act during the collation stages. According to them, INEC and security forces did not adhere to the rules for results collation as stipulated in the Electoral Act 2022.
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