Posted by The newly ended Kogi State governorship election largely complied with Nigeria’s electoral regulations, according to the Coalition for Transparent Elections in Africa (CTEAN), an impartial observer organization.
The group’s convener, Nelson Ogbu, announced this finding on Wednesday at a news conference in Abuja.
With 446,237 votes, Usman Ododo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) defeated Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate Alhaji Muritala Yakubu-Ajaka, who received 259,052 votes, according to the election results.
“We note with a sense of satisfaction that the election in Kogi was relatively peaceful, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the electoral umpire, was alive to their duty,” stated Ogbu.
The CTEAN convener emphasized that the election was mostly seen as free and fair while praising the Kogi electorate for their responsible behavior. He expressed gratitude for the professionalism of Nigeria’s security services, other observation groups, including the Nigeria Police and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
Ogbu also expressed his gratitude to the main candidates and their supporters for their cordial conduct both during and after the election.
Bringing attention to the vote pattern, Ogbu expressed delight that candidates showed strength in their home bases, demonstrating that INEC had given all political parties an equal opportunity to compete. He emphasized Kogi’s unity and asked political players to keep supporting peace.
Ogbu urged unity among stakeholders and underlined the need of backing the incoming governor. “The support of all stakeholders is necessary for the Governor-elect to succeed,” he declared. Our belief in a single Nigeria can only be realized in an atmosphere of love, peace, and calm.