Godwin Obaseki, governor of Edo, has appealed to residents not to resort to violence and destruction of public property over the outcome of the gubernatorial election in the state.
On Sunday, the Independent National Electoral Commission
(INEC) declared Monday Okpebholo, candidate of the All Progressives Congress
(APC), winner of the governorship election conducted on September 21.
Okpebholo, a serving senator, won the election with 291,667
votes to defeat his closest challenger, Asue Ighodalo, candidate of the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP), who got 247,274 votes.
Olumide Akpata, candidate of the Labour Party (LP), came a
distant third with 22, 763 votes.
The APC won the election in 11 of the 18 LGAs in Edo, while
the PDP secured victories in the remaining seven LGAs.
In a broadcast to residents, Obaseki called for calm, saying
those who feel aggrieved should follow due process by challenging the outcome
in court.
“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,” the governor said.
“Regrettably, the
outcome of the September 21 governorship election appears to have daunted the
spirit of many Edo people who feel powerless in the face of 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 for all the good people of Edo state who feel vexed about and
violated at this time.
“Clearly, it is obvious to the least discerning the amount
of impunity and disregard for process and law that was displayed in this
gubernatorial election.
“In a democracy,
there are always safeguards for addressing grievances and we hope that all
those affected will seek resolution for this blatant disregard for law and
process.”
The governor asked residents to go about their lawful
businesses, adding that the government is committed to their well-being and
security.
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