Obaseki also hinted that PDP will seek redress through democratic means after the “blatant disregard of law and process” by INEC
By Kehinde Okeowo
The Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki, has called on citizens of the state to maintain calm and not resort to violence and destruction of property despite their grievances.
He made the appeal on Sunday in his broadcast after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Monday Okpebholo, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as the winner of Saturday’s governorship election.
Announcing the result, the Returning Officer, Prof. Faruk Kuta, said that the APC candidate secured 291,667 votes to beat the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Ighodalo, who garnered 247,274 votes.
Kuta declared, “That Okpebholo, having satisfied the requirement of the law, is hereby declared the winner and returned elected.”
Speaking on the development during the brief address, Obaseki hinted that his party, PDP, will “seek resolution for this blatant disregard of law and process” through democratic means.
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He opined that peace and justice would always win in the end and noted that, “this is my prescription to all the good people of Edo State who feel vexed and violated at this time.”
He said, “It is obvious to the least discerning, the amount of impunity and reckless disregard for processes and law that was displayed in this gubernatorial election
“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.”
Obaseki added, “In a democracy, there are safeguards for addressing grievances, and we hope that those affected will seek resolution for this blatant disregard of law and process.
“With this in mind, I implore all Edo people to go about their lawful businesses and rest assured of the commitment of our government to your wellbeing and security.”
