Socio-political activist Aisha Yesufu has criticized Governor Godwin Obaseki for expressing disappointment over the recent Edo State governorship election results.
On Sunday, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced that Monday Okpebholo from the All Progressives Congress (APC) won the election held on September 21, 2024. Okpebholo secured victory by winning 11 local government areas, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Asue Ighodalo, won 7. Olumide Akpata from the Labour Party received no victories.
Prof. Faruk Adamu Kuta, the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, served as INEC’s Returning Officer and officially declared Okpebholo the winner. He received 291,667 votes, defeating Ighodalo, who garnered 247,274 votes, and Akpata, who received 18,737 votes.
Reports indicate that Governor Obaseki unexpectedly entered INEC’s collation center around 2 a.m. on Sunday, seeking information about the results. However, he was escorted out by a team of police officers and military personnel around 4:10 a.m.
In response to Obaseki’s remarks, Yesufu took to social media, questioning his commitment to democratic principles. She highlighted past actions by Obaseki, including his refusal to swear in 14 members of the Edo House of Assembly over the past four years and his decision to only appoint 5 out of 8 judges. She also referenced the impeachment of his deputy governor.
“Yesufu wrote, ‘I am looking for a video where Obaseki spoke about the principles of democracy. Please share if you have it.” She expressed disbelief at his claims of democracy being under attack.
Following the election results, President Bola Tinubu congratulated Okpebholo and the APC for their victory. Former President Muhammadu Buhari also extended his congratulations to the newly elected governor.
