BREAKING: Governor Condemns Edo Election, Calls the Exercise ‘Shameful and Disgusting"

Reacting to the outcome of the just concluded Edo State Governorship election, the Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Fintiri, strongly criticized the conduct of the September 21 Edo State governorship election, condemning it as a travesty of democracy. The election, which saw the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Monday Okpebholo, declared the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has sparked widespread controversy.

Governor Fintiri expressed deep concern over what he described as glaring irregularities during the election, claiming that the APC's actions during the electoral process were a serious threat to Nigeria’s democratic values. He stated, "I weep for Nigeria’s democracy after witnessing the shameful Edo Gubernatorial poll. The APC’s desperate attempts to discredit me by falsely claiming I announced results won’t distract from the real issue. I merely shared results from INEC’s Irev portal, as collated by INEC from the various Local Government Areas."

Fintiri highlighted disturbing incidents of voter intimidation, vote-buying, and the presence of APC officials flouting electoral guidelines. He specifically condemned the APC's national chairman for arriving in Edo State on election day via private jet, despite movement restrictions. "What’s truly shameful is APC’s national chairman flying into Edo with a private jet on election day, defying movement restrictions, while their Governors used armoured escorts to intimidate voters," Fintiri added.

The Governor's remarks reflect the growing concern among opposition parties and civil society groups about the erosion of democratic norms in the country. He called for a collective national response to safeguard Nigeria's democracy. "We must condemn this rape of democracy and demand accountability. The world is watching, and Nigeria deserves better," Fintiri said, emphasizing the need for greater transparency and fairness in future elections.

The outcome of the Edo election has stirred significant controversy, with allegations of rigging and voter suppression overshadowing the declared victory. Many Nigerians have voiced their displeasure, demanding an immediate review of the election results and the role played by INEC in the process. Governor Fintiri’s statement has amplified these concerns, signaling the need for electoral reforms to restore public confidence in the democratic process.