Edo Poll: Timely Warnings By US, UK Deepened Our Democracy -Kwankwaso


Moghalu Hails INEC For Credible Election

Former presidential aspirant, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has lauded the United States and the United Kingdom for giving timely warnings to political actors in the country ahead of the governorship election just concluded in Edo State.

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He said the warnings had helped in keeping the actors to play by the rules and allowing the votes of the people to count and seen in the re-election of Governor Godwin Obaseki for a second term.

Obaseki was declared winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission after polling 307,955 votes.

Recall that the foreign governments had threatened to place visa restrictions on any Nigerian who undermined the election in Edo and the upcoming Ondo governorship poll.

Kwankwaso, a former Governor of Kano State, claimed that the threat of sanctions by the foreign governments altered the plans of some persons to abuse the electoral process, adding that it paved way for credible polling on Saturday

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The former senator argued that the warnings added value to the nation’s democratic process.

“Let me also thank the representatives of the international community in Nigeria, especially the United State embassy in Nigeria and the United Kingdom embassy in Nigeria for their timely advice to merchants of election malpractice and perpetrators of electoral violence.

“Your advisory to election riggers and promoters of election violence to know that there are consequences, beyond the borders of Nigeria, for their ignominious action was very effective.

” We thank you for your interest in deepening democracy in our country,” he tweeted on Monday.

On his part, a former presidential candidate, Kingsley Moghalu maintained that the Edo state election went well because of the transparency of the Independent National Electoral Commission.

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“I’m pleased the Edo State gubernatorial elections were successful, and results announced in a timely fashion.

“Let’s hope this begins a new trend away from widespread rigging of election results, with the people expressing their democratic will. Congratulations @GovernorObaseki !

“And congratulations too to @inecnigeria!,” he tweeted on Monday.

Meanwhile, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing, had lauded all the actors in the Edo election for ensuring a credible poll.

“Congratulations @GovernorObaseki @PastorIzeIyamu @inecnigeria on #EdoDecides2020. @UKinNigeria team observed credible process and commend both candidates for encouraging peace.

“Thanks to civil society partners @YIAGA @SituationRoomNg @cleenfoundation for their invaluable work,” she tweeted on Sunday.

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But, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, had stressed that the Federal Government had kept its promise of ensuring a transparent electoral process in Edo state.

“Nigeria has disappointed those who predicted massive disruption. The elections went well but for a few hiccups,” he stated on Saturday.

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