The state collation of results is now underway in Benin City at the State Collation Centre of the 18 Local Government Area Council results from Edo State‘s Saturday gubernatorial election.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has issued a stern warning to political actors in Edo State amid high tension regarding the outcome of the polls, against attempts to disrupt the process.
In what may be a sharp rebuke at the governor of the state, Godwin Obaseki who reportedly stormed the collation center early Sunday morning, INEC’s National Commissioner, Mohammed Haruna, condemned what he called “the inappropriate behavior of some political figures”, saying that, “These actions are uncalled for. Nobody should disrupt the process at any stage, and no one will be allowed to benefit from lawlessness.”
He vowed the collation process will continue and be completed according to the Electoral Act of 2022.
At least 95% of results have already been uploaded on the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV).prompting the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to call a hurriedly put together press conference moments ago to announce what it claims are authentic results of the election from all the wards and local government areas in the state.
PDP alleges that INEC officials appear to be tampering with election results in favor of the federal ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Asue Ighodalo – candidate of the party alongside Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, presented their version of the election results. Despite INEC being the sole body authorized by law to declare results, Fintiri shared figures that he claimed were publicly available, criticizing INEC for halting the collation process.
“I am not usurping the powers of the electoral umpire.I did not announce results; I only informed the public on the exact figures from our collation agent,” Fintiri stated, accusing INEC of violating the Electoral Act.
Tensions Escalate The More
As the collation process progresses, tensions remain high. A robust security presence, including roadblocks by the Nigerian Army, has been established around INEC’s office in Benin City to ensure order and prevent unauthorized disruptions. Only accredited individuals are allowed access to the collation centers, where thorough screenings are conducted.
Ighodalo expressed frustration over alleged voter irregularities, pointing to discrepancies between the number of accredited voters and the total votes counted in some polling units. He called the election “the worst in the history of this country,” citing specific concerns from Ikpoba/Okha Ologbo polling unit.
INEC Reassures of Transparency
Despite the protests and accusations, INEC says it remains committed to conducting a transparent collation process. Haruna assured that any irregularities would be addressed through established mechanisms, reminding aggrieved parties that the institution still has the power to include the power to review results declared under duress. He called on security agencies to maintain their vigilance as the collation nears completion, with the final results expected soon.
Observers and citizens alike are closely watching INEC to ensure a fair conclusion to an election that has already seen its fair share of tension and controversy.
But as a constitutional lawyer and human rights advocate Prof. Chidi Odinkalu has warned, “If Mahmood Yakubu & INEC mess with #EdoDecides2024, all of Nigeria will suffer it: There is hardly anywhere you can go in Nigeria without passing through Edo.”
Even David Adeleke, the Afrobeat legendary musician known as Davido whose late mother is from Edo state described INEC in a tweet as the “most dangerous institution in Nigeria.”
Nigerians are waiting to see if the institution proves them right or wrong.
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