The United States Mission in Nigeria has praised the people of Edo State for their peaceful conduct during the gubernatorial elections held on September 21.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills Jr., applauded the citizens for their responsible participation in the democratic process and stressed the importance of upholding the integrity of the election.
“We commend the people of Edo State for the widely peaceful conduct of the gubernatorial elections and reiterate calls for calm following the announcement of results,” Mills said.
Highlighting the significance of transparency in maintaining public trust, the ambassador urged all electoral stakeholders, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to adhere to due process and respect legal avenues for contesting the election outcome.
“Transparency and due process are crucial to maintaining public confidence in any democratic system,” he noted, adding that the United States remains committed to supporting free, fair, and credible elections in Nigeria.
The US Mission also commended Governor Godwin Obaseki for advocating for peace and urged all parties involved to respect established electoral procedures.
This statement comes after INEC declared Monday Okpebholo, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as the winner of the fiercely contested election. Okpebholo secured 291,667 votes, winning in 11 out of the state’s 18 Local Government Areas. His closest rival, Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), garnered 247,274 votes, while Labour Party’s Olumide Akpata finished third with 22,761 votes.
INEC’s Returning Officer for the election, Prof. Faruq Adamu Kuta, the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, declared the results at the collation centre in Benin City.
The peaceful conclusion of the Edo State election stands as a beacon for Nigeria’s democratic future, with the international community keenly observing how the process unfolds. Mills’ call for transparency and respect for legal procedures signals the critical importance of fair electoral practices in solidifying the nation’s democracy.
The US has reaffirmed its commitment to closely monitoring the post-election environment and supporting Nigeria in achieving credible and transparent elections.