In a communiqué by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, the elected governors reaffirmed their commitment to promoting democratic governance, despite the current economic and security challenges facing Nigeria, as well as the threat posed by the Peoples Progressive Party led by President Bola Tinubu.
The Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, made this statement during the pre-official announcement of the Edo governorship election results by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in Abuja, last Sunday.
“The PDP Governors’ Forum unequivocally reaffirms its commitment to democratic best practices, peace and stability of a united Nigeria in which citizens are not only spared the trials of the moment, but more importantly, are provided with alternative opportunities to realize their legitimate dreams.
We look forward to the announcement of a result that truly represents the wishes of the people of Edo as freely expressed through their votes yesterday,” Mohammed said.
He stressed that as PDP governors, they have no doubt that given the commendable achievements of the incumbent governor, Godwin Obaseki, and the qualities of their party’s governorship candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, the discerning electorate of Edo would have had no difficulty in making the right choice, especially given the challenges the APC administration is imposing on the entire country.
The PDP governors, however, said: “As the process continues, we wish to remind the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, of the need to uphold the oath of office of its principal officials as well as the expectations of the people, to serve as an impartial arbiter committed to strengthening our multi-party democracy and the survival of our country.
As the country faces serious economic and security challenges, we expect INEC and all stakeholders involved in the Edo governorship election to respect the sovereign wishes of the people of the state and spare the nation the unpredictable consequences of a contested outcome at this time.
This becomes all the more imperative, especially in the face of the threat to democracy posed by the Tinubu-led APC government’s drive for total state capture.
We support our fellow governors, His Excellency Fintiri, His Excellency Diri, His Excellency Agbu Kefas and His Excellency Oborevwori of Adamawa, Bayelsa, Taraba and Delta states respectively, in all the actions and positions they have taken on our behalf, in maintaining the sanctity of the elections.
We note with immense pride and satisfaction the role played by the PDP Governors, His Excellency Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State, His Excellency Governor Duoye Diri of Bayelsa State, His Excellency Governor Dr Agbu Kefas of Taraba State and His Excellency the Right Honourable Sherif Francis Oborevwori, Governor of Delta State, who closely monitored the exercise in accordance with the law and guided the electorate to remain calm and law-abiding throughout the process.
We are pleased that our colleagues, under the leadership of His Excellency Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, simply declared the results of some local government areas as already compiled and recorded on the IREV portal of INEC, in a bid to forestall manipulation by malign elements and ultimately avert a situation that could throw the process into disgrace and the nation into political distress.
The public is therefore urged to disregard the malicious accusation by the APC that anyone has usurped the responsibility of INEC, let alone distinguished personalities who are governors in their respective states.”
This statement underscores the importance of respecting the will of the people as expressed through elections, but also of maintaining the integrity of the electoral process in the face of the critical political and economic challenges facing Nigeria.