The All Progressives Congress (APC) has expressed strong disapproval of Yiaga Africa, a prominent civil society organization, for its criticisms of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) concerning the results of the recent Edo State gubernatorial election. In a press release issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the APC accused Yiaga Africa of overstepping its boundaries as an election observer, suggesting that the organization’s actions constituted an unsanctioned attempt to challenge INEC’s authority. Morka specifically called out Yiaga Africa’s decision to question the validity of the election results, characterizing it as a form of “second-guessing” that is inappropriate for their role in ensuring electoral transparency.
According to Morka, INEC serves as the sole statutory authority responsible for conducting elections and declaring their results, reinforcing that external bodies such as Yiaga Africa have no legitimate claim to contest these results. He maintained that Yiaga Africa’s foray into scrutinizing the election outcomes undermines the integrity of the electoral process. The APC’s viewpoint is that the civil society organization has failed to operate within the defined parameters of its observer mission, thus leading to an unwarranted dispute regarding a legally certified electoral outcome. Asserting that Yiaga Africa should cease its parallel interpretations, Morka emphasized the need for observers to uphold the rules governing election management and to respect INEC’s designated role.
The APC went on to denounce Yiaga Africa’s allegations of manipulation and electoral irregularities, labeling them as baseless and lacking empirical evidence. Morka criticized the claims made by Yiaga Africa as devoid of measurable data, suggesting instead that they were predicated on mere speculation rather than solid statistics. He described the organization’s report as fundamentally flawed, asserting that it contained not only inconsistencies but also inaccuracies that serve to mislead the public. The APC’s rhetoric implies that such unfounded claims are detrimental to public confidence in the electoral process, potentially sowing confusion and mistrust among the electorate.
Furthermore, Morka warned Yiaga Africa against creating any semblance of a parallel electoral framework, which could lead to unnecessary chaos in the political landscape. He stated unequivocally that election observer missions must not take on the mantle of election management agencies, as doing so constitutes a violation of both the Electoral Act and the Constitution of Nigeria. By implying that results should be examined against suspicious statistical parameters, Yiaga Africa risks confusing the electorate and undermining the established electoral framework that guides Nigeria’s democratic processes.
In contrast, the APC conveyed thanks to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his administration for facilitating a fair electoral environment, extending commendations to INEC and law enforcement agencies for their roles in conducting the elections professionally. The party expressed optimism that the election results genuinely reflected the will of Edo State’s voters, specifically naming Senator Monday Okpebholo as the people’s clear choice for the governorship of Edo State. Morka reiterated the party’s confidence in the electoral outcomes, affirming that these results herald a new era aimed at fostering peace, unity, and development for the state.
In the wake of this electoral controversy, the APC noted that any disputes regarding the election results should be resolved through proper legal channels, in line with the established electoral protocols. Yiaga Africa, for its part, has criticized the broader electoral process, alleging that both the conduct and declared outcomes lacked the integrity necessary for a democratic election. The organization has voiced concerns over widespread irregularities, including alleged manipulations by collation officers, further escalating the ongoing tensions surrounding the election results and the roles of both INEC and civil society observers. As the political landscape remains contentious, both sides continue to stake their claims in a highly polarized environment, with the potential for further disputes on the horizon.
