Edo Poll: Obaseki Sues For Calm, Cautions Against Violence

Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki has called for calm, urging restrains from violence following the Sunday declaration of the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Monday Okpebholo as the winner of Saturday, September 21 governorship election in the state.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), through the Returning Officer, Prof Faruk Adamu Kuta, who is the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology (FUT) Minna, announced that the APC candidate scored 291, 667 votes to defeat the PDP’s candidate, Asue Ighodalo who scored 247, 274 votes.

Obaseki in a statement he personally signed said described the outcome of the governorship election as not a tragedy but travesty of democracy, expressed confidence that justice shall prevail at the end.

He said, “In the last few months, various political parties have embarked on very rigorous campaigns to sell their respective candidates for the office of governor to the people of Edo State in an exercise which came to a climax yesterday (Sunday) with the gubernatorial election.

“The attractive thing about democracy is the power it bestows on the people to choose who governs them. Therefore, when this power is blatantly seized from the people, it is not just a tragedy, but a travesty of democracy.

“Regrettably, the outcome of the September 21st governorship election appears to have daunted the spirit of many Edo people who feel powerless in the face of the brute force of the institutions that are supposed to protect them. It is therefore understandable that many people feel sad and aggrieved.

“But in the midst of this despair, I am urging all my fellow Edo citizens to maintain calm and not resort to violence and destruction of property in spite of this provocation.

“Peace and justice will always win at the end and this is my prescription to all the good people of Edo State who feel vexed and violated at this time.

“Clearly, it is obvious to the least discerning, the amount of impunity and reckless disregard for processes and law that was displayed in this gubernatorial election.

“In a democracy, there are safeguards for addressing grievances, and we hope that those affected will seek resolution for this blatant disregard of law and process.”

He implored all people of the state to go about their lawful businesses and rest assured of the commitment of his government to their wellbeing and security.