In an unprecedented move that has stirred significant debate across Nigeria's political landscape, governors from the People's Democratic Party (PDP) took center stage at a Sunday press conference to announce their version of the Edo governorship election results, despite INEC's ongoing official collation process.
Leading the charge, Adamawa State Governor Umaru Fintiri, flanked by fellow PDP governors, presented what they claimed were figures from their party's collation agents. This bold step occurred while INEC, the constitutionally mandated body for result declaration, was still in the process of collating results at its central facility in Benin City.
It's crucial to understand that according to Nigeria's electoral framework, specifically the 2022 Electoral Act, INEC maintains exclusive authority to announce election results. This legal provision exists to prevent confusion and maintain the integrity of the electoral process. Therefore, the PDP governors' announcement raises significant questions about protocol and proper electoral procedures.
The battle for Edo's governorship seat has evolved into an intensely competitive race between the two major political parties. INEC's Results Viewing (IReV) portal has already captured approximately 97% of results from 4,519 polling units, revealing a fascinating political contest unfolding across the state.
The current data shows interesting geographical voting patterns:
- PDP's Asue Ighodalo maintains a strong lead in Edo South Senatorial District
- APC's Senator Monday Okpebholo dominates in Edo North Senatorial District
- These regional variations highlight the state's complex political dynamics
As we await INEC's official announcement, this situation serves as a reminder of the importance of following established electoral procedures. The coming days will likely bring important discussions about the role of political parties in result announcements and the preservation of electoral integrity.
What are your thoughts on this development? Should political parties wait for INEC's official announcement before making public statements about election results? Share your views in the comments below and spread the word to keep others informed about this unfolding situation.
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