Prominent socio-political activist Aisha Yesufu has strongly criticized Governor Godwin Obaseki for his dissatisfaction with the results of the Edo State governorship election, in which Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) emerged as the winner.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced Okpebholo’s victory on September 21, 2024, after he secured 291,667 votes, winning in 11 local government areas. Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) came second with 247,274 votes, while Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party (LP) managed just 18,737 votes and did not win any local government areas.
Governor Obaseki, upset with the outcome, made a dramatic visit to INEC’s collation center around 2 am on Sunday to “gather firsthand information” about the results. However, he was escorted out by the police at 4:10 am, led by Deputy Inspector General Frank Mbah.
In response to Obaseki’s actions, Yesufu took to X to question his complaints about the election, pointing out his own controversial decisions during his tenure as governor. She highlighted how Obaseki refused to swear in 14 Edo House of Assembly members for four years and failed to swear in all appointed judges, swearing in only five out of eight. Yesufu also mentioned the impeachment of Obaseki’s deputy governor, questioning his commitment to democratic principles.
Her comments challenge Obaseki to reflect on his own actions before criticizing the electoral process, urging him to accept the results.
News Editor