Edo Decides 2024: PDP Governors Announce Results Before INEC

The political landscape of Edo State was thrown into turmoil following the announcement of governorship election results by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), hours before the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) could officially declare the outcome. According to Opitaglobalmedia, the constitutionally mandated body responsible for election results is INEC, as specified in the 2022 Electoral Act. Despite this, PDP governors took to the media on Sunday, ahead of INEC’s scheduled collation, to announce the results.

During a press briefing, Governor Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State, alongside other PDP governors, claimed the figures they released were sourced from their party’s collation agents before INEC allegedly disrupted the process. This move has raised concerns about the legality of such actions and the potential repercussions for the electoral process, considering INEC’s constitutional authority to oversee elections.

PDP’s Controversial Announcement Sparks Reactions

The announcement by the PDP governors has ignited significant debate, with many questioning the legality of a political party announcing results ahead of INEC. Governor Fintiri defended the action, explaining that their agents had compiled the results from various polling units before INEC interrupted the process. According to him, their figures reflect the true outcome of the Edo State governorship election.

However, this bold step by the PDP has not been without criticism. Legal experts and opposition parties, particularly the All Progressives Congress (APC), have condemned the premature announcement, emphasizing that it could undermine the credibility of the election. The APC has accused the PDP of attempting to influence the outcome by pre-empting INEC, while political analysts are concerned about the potential for post-election litigation, given the sensitive nature of election results announcements.

INEC’s Role and the Current Status of the Election

Despite the PDP’s premature declaration, INEC continues its official collation process. By Sunday morning, Opitaglobalmedia reported that the electoral body had uploaded approximately 97 percent of the results from the 4,519 polling units across Edo State on its Results Viewing (IReV) portal. The collation and official declaration of the winner are still ongoing, with the central collation center in Benin City expected to finalize the results.

INEC has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring a transparent process, reminding the public that it is the only institution empowered by law to announce election outcomes. This unfolding situation has placed a spotlight on the role of INEC in upholding electoral integrity, as well as the need for political actors to respect the legal framework guiding Nigeria’s democratic process.

Widespread Outrage Over PDP’s Premature Announcement of Edo State Election Results

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has come under intense scrutiny and condemnation from citizens following the premature announcement of the Edo State gubernatorial election results by some of its governors. This act, widely perceived as a violation of the democratic process, has ignited heated reactions, particularly on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). Many users have expressed concerns that such behavior could undermine the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral system.

For instance, X user Yusuf Usman voiced his frustration, accusing PDP governors of overstepping their roles by acting in the capacity of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). In his post, Usman remarked, “This explains why the PDP would remain one of the most useless opposition parties ever to grace the surface of the earth. A bunch of unserious people.” His sentiment echoed a broader frustration among Nigerians who view this development as a dangerous precedent for future elections.

Calls for Legal Action and Democratic Accountability

In response to the controversial announcement, many Nigerians have also called for legal reforms and accountability. Oluwaseun Mohammed, another prominent commentator on X, stressed the need for immediate legal action against the implicated governors. “Legal action needs to be instituted against these governors immediately after their tenure. You cannot deliberately subvert the law; you cannot deliberately cause chaos. There is an urgent need for us to revisit this ‘immunity of a thing’ if we really want to strengthen our institutions,” he wrote.

Zubair Abdullahi, visibly perplexed by the situation, questioned the rationale behind the PDP’s actions, asking, “So PDP is now doing the job of INEC? All I see here is desperation.” Similarly, Masebolatan condemned the act as a clear violation of the electoral act, demanding accountability. He expressed concern over the preemptive announcement, asking, “On what basis is he announcing results ahead of INEC? Isn’t this a breach of the electoral act?”

The general consensus among many citizens is that politicians should respect the electoral process and allow INEC to fulfill its duties. As Enoch, another X user, advised, “Why can’t they wait till INEC announces the results? If unsatisfied, head to the court with your evidence. So shameful.” The backlash reflects deep concerns about democratic integrity and the need for reforms to safeguard Nigeria’s electoral system from future infractions.