Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State has lamented the state of Nigeria’s democracy, citing irregularities in the recent Edo governorship election held on September 22.
According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) won the election with 291,667 votes, defeating Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who garnered 247,274 votes, and Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party (LP), who came third with 22,763 votes.
Fintiri, who chaired the PDP campaign council, criticized the election process, alleging widespread vote-buying, disrupted collation, and questionable results. He expressed his disappointment, saying, “I weep for Nigeria’s democracy after witnessing the shameful Edo gubernatorial poll.”
At a press conference held with Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki and PDP candidate Asue Ighodalo, Fintiri shared election results from some local government areas based on data from INEC’s IReV portal. He refuted accusations from APC that he overstepped his bounds by announcing results, calling the allegations a distraction from the real issues at hand.
Fintiri further accused APC leaders of using undue influence on election day, with reports of the party’s national chairman arriving in Edo by private jet and governors using armed escorts to intimidate voters. He also alleged that PDP agents were denied access to collation centers while APC representatives were given unfettered access.
Fintiri called for accountability, emphasizing that the election’s alleged irregularities represent an attack on Nigeria’s democratic system. He urged Nigerians to condemn the “rape of democracy” and hold those responsible accountable, stating, “The world is watching, and Nigeria deserves better.”
