The United States Mission in Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to democratic integrity, announcing that it is closely monitoring the appeal process of the controversial Edo State governorship election. This comes in response to growing concerns from civil society organisations and election observers over alleged irregularities during the polls—particularly lapses in the collation of results.
The Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, sitting in Abuja, on Wednesday dismissed a petition challenging the victory of Governor Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The petition was filed by the Accord Party (AP) and its candidate, seeking to overturn the result of the September 21, 2024, election.
Delivering a unanimous judgment, the three-member panel led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi ruled that the petitioners failed to provide credible evidence to substantiate claims of electoral malpractice, including rigging and non-compliance with the Electoral Act. The tribunal struck out the petition, describing the allegations as “general and sweeping,” lacking specific details about polling units or wards where the infractions allegedly occurred.
Despite the tribunal’s verdict, the United States Mission expressed unease over the electoral process. In a statement released on Friday and shared via its official X (formerly Twitter) handle, U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, said observers reported “serious lapses in the collation process,” raising red flags about transparency and the credibility of the election.
“The United States is committed to supporting free, fair, transparent, and credible elections in Nigeria,” Ambassador Mills stated. “Transparency and due process are crucial to maintaining public confidence in any democratic system.”
He reiterated sentiments he first voiced on September 24, emphasizing that democratic systems thrive only when electoral processes are held to the highest standards of accountability and openness.
“The U.S. Mission in Nigeria is following the Edo election appeal process closely, particularly given civil society’s concerns about critical issues related to the election,” the statement continued. “The United States reaffirms our commitment to supporting democratic governance in Nigeria and will continue to monitor developments surrounding the appeal.”
The Edo State governorship election has been mired in controversy since the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Okpebholo winner with 291,667 votes, ahead of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Asue Ighodalo, who secured 247,655 votes. Both the PDP and Accord Party have vehemently rejected the result, accusing INEC of flouting the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 and compromising the will of the people.
Following the tribunal’s ruling, the PDP and Ighodalo have vowed to take the case to the appellate court, rejecting the judgment in its entirety. Their legal team maintains that the election was fraught with irregularities significant enough to warrant a fresh poll.
As legal proceedings progress, the U.S. Mission’s sustained interest in the appeal process signals international scrutiny and the high stakes involved in Nigeria’s democratic journey. Observers say the outcome of this appeal could either reinforce or further erode public confidence in the electoral system, depending on how transparently and fairly it is handled.
In the coming weeks, all eyes—both domestic and international—will remain fixed on Nigeria’s judiciary, which now carries the burden of not just interpreting the law, but of restoring trust in the electoral process.
PIONEER NEWS 