‘I weep for Nigeria’s democracy’ – Gov Fintiri on Edo guber election

• INEC had declared Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress as the winner of the poll
• Fintiri slammed Abdullahi Ganduje for flying into the state with a private jet defying movement restrictions
  

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The Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Fintiri, has condemned the results of the Edo State governorship election, saying he weeps for Nigeria’s democracy

WITHIN NIGERIA recalls that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, on Sunday, declared Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress, APC, as the winner of the September 21 governorship poll.

Reacting in a statement on Sunday, Fintiri said he wept for Nigeria’s democracy, describing the exercise as shameful.

He also condemned the national chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Ganduje for flying into the state with a private jet defying movement restrictions by the Nigeria police, describing it as a blatant disregard for democratic norms.

According to him, the reported vote-buying, disruption of collation processes, and suspicious results with more votes than accredited voters undermined trust in the nation’s democracy, stressing that democracy was indeed under attack.

Fintiri said the desperate attempt by the APC to discredit him would not distract from the real issue, adding that he shared results from INEC’s Irev portal, as collated by INEC from the various Local Government Areas.

“I weep for Nigeria’s democracy after witnessing the shameful Edo Gubernatorial poll. The APC’s desperate attempts to discredit me by falsely claiming I announced results won’t distract from the real issue.

“What’s truly shameful is APC’s national chairman flying into Edo with a private jet on election day, defying movement restrictions, while their governors used armoured escorts to intimidate voters.

“This blatant disregard for democratic norms is the real brigandage. Nigerians are outraged, slamming INEC for compromising and favoring APC.

“We must condemn this rape of democracy and demand accountability. The world is watching, and Nigeria deserves better,” Fintiri said.