The Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, has called on the people of Edo State to remain calm and avoid violence following the announcement of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Monday Okpebholo, as the winner of the September 21 governorship election. The results, which were declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), have sparked widespread disappointment among supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo.
In a televised broadcast, Obaseki expressed his dissatisfaction with the election process and hinted that the PDP would pursue legal avenues to challenge the election outcome. He assured Edo citizens that peace and justice would prevail in the end.
INEC announced that Monday Okpebholo of the APC won the election with a total of 291,667 votes. His closest rival, Asue Ighodalo of the PDP, secured 247,274 votes. The election results have left many PDP supporters feeling aggrieved, and concerns have been raised about the transparency of the process.
In his response, Obaseki described the election as marred by “impunity and reckless disregard for law and processes.” He emphasized that the people of Edo State had been denied their right to choose their leader freely, stating that this was not only a tragedy for democracy but a serious violation of the people’s will.
Despite his strong objections to the election’s conduct, Obaseki used his speech to urge Edo citizens not to resort to violence. He acknowledged that many people felt “vexed and violated” by the outcome but encouraged them to remain peaceful and refrain from destroying property.
“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,” Obaseki said. He reminded the people that in a democracy, there are mechanisms for addressing grievances and assured them that the PDP would seek justice through democratic means.
Obaseki made it clear that the PDP intends to challenge the results of the governorship election through legal channels. “We hope that those affected will seek resolution for this blatant disregard of law and process,” he said. He assured the people of Edo State that the rule of law would ultimately prevail.
Democracy, he stressed, is meant to empower the people to choose their leaders. He lamented that when this power is “blatantly seized from the people,” it undermines the very foundation of democracy. Obaseki vowed to work within the legal framework to ensure that the people’s voices are heard and their rights are protected.
Obaseki’s call for calm is crucial in a state like Edo, where political tensions often run high during elections. He noted that the disappointment many feel is understandable, but he warned against actions that could lead to unrest or destruction.
The governor emphasized that peace and justice will eventually triumph, and that violence will only harm the state and its citizens. “Peace and justice will always win in the end, and this is my prescription to all the good people of Edo State who feel vexed and violated at this time,” Obaseki said. He implored the people to continue with their daily lives and assured them that his administration remains committed to their wellbeing and security.
Leading up to the election, political parties in Edo State engaged in intense campaigns to promote their candidates. The contest between APC’s Monday Okpebholo and PDP’s Asue Ighodalo was particularly fierce, with both parties rallying strong support across the state.
Obaseki acknowledged the effort both parties put into their campaigns, stating, “In the last few months, the 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.”
However, he noted that despite the intense campaigning, the election was overshadowed by what he described as a “reckless disregard for law and process.” This, he said, had left many Edo people feeling powerless in the face of institutions meant to protect their rights.
Obaseki’s remarks suggest that the PDP is not backing down from its challenge to the election results. The party is expected to file a petition in court to contest the declaration of Okpebholo as the winner.
In his speech, Obaseki reiterated the importance of using lawful and democratic means to resolve disputes. He urged his supporters and the people of Edo State to trust the process and to allow the courts to address any grievances they may have.
Edo State has a history of intense political competition, with power frequently shifting between the APC and PDP. In the 2020 gubernatorial election, Governor Obaseki, who initially won his first term under the APC, defected to the PDP after a fallout with the APC leadership. He then won re-election as a PDP candidate, defeating APC’s Osagie Ize-Iyamu.
This year’s election, however, saw the PDP attempting to retain power in the state while the APC aimed to reclaim the governorship. The contest between Okpebholo and Ighodalo was seen as a test of both parties’ strength and influence in Edo.
