The United States (US) Government has reacted to the just-concluded Edo State governorship election, calling for calm while also urging the aggrieved person to seek redress through the legal means.
Mixed reactions have trailed the outcome of the election, with some alleging irregularities while some maintained that the processes leading to the emergence of the All Progressives Congress’ (APC) candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo as the winner of the election, were in order.
The U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills Jr in a statement on Tuesday, extended the US Mission’s commendation to the people of Edo State for the widely peaceful conduct of the election on September 21, reiterating calls for calm following the announcement of results.
Okpebholo, defeated his closest rivals, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Asue Ighodalo to the second position, while Olumide Apata of the Labour Party came a distant third.
“The U.S. Mission in Nigeria commends the people of Edo State for the widely peaceful conduct of gubernatorial elections on September 21 and reiterates calls for calm following the announcement of results.
“We commend Governor Obaseki’s appeal for peace and urge all stakeholders, including INEC, to support established electoral processes and respect legal procedures to challenge results.
“Transparency and due process are crucial to maintaining public confidence in any democratic system. The United States reaffirms our commitment to supporting free, fair, transparent, and credible elections in Nigeria and will continue to monitor the situation closely,” the statement read.