The United States has voiced reservations regarding the recent Edo State gubernatorial election and the judgment that validated the APC’s victory, citing what it called “serious flaws” in the vote collation process.
On Friday, the U.S. Embassy in Abuja referenced a study conducted by the Kimpact Development Initiative, which exposed multiple discrepancies in the state’s electoral exercise.
The civic group’s Ballot Integrity Project (BIP) noted irregularities in 141 polling stations, including unbalanced voter numbers, missing ballots, and widespread over-voting.
“Edo State had over-voting in 382 polling units, with a total of 8,887 excess votes,” the report stated, adding that 29,053 ballots were unaccounted for at the polling unit level and 20,167 still missing after results were compiled.
Despite these glaring issues, Justice Wilfred Kpochi-led tribunal dismissed the PDP’s petition, ruling that the claims by its candidate, Asue Ighodalo, lacked credible evidence.
The panel upheld the victory of the APC’s Monday Okpebholo.
However, the U.S. Mission seemed unconvinced. “We are following the Edo election appeal process closely,” the Mission posted on social media, emphasizing civil society’s concern over critical electoral inconsistencies.
Ambassador Richard Mills reiterated his previous stance: “Transparency and due process are crucial to maintaining public confidence in any democratic system.”
Ighodalo has rejected the tribunal’s ruling and vowed to seek justice through the appeal court.
The U.S. has previously responded to perceived electoral misconduct by imposing visa sanctions.
A notable instance was in 2020 when the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, was reportedly denied entry into the U.S. over a Supreme Court judgment seen as undermining the democratic process in Imo State.