A group of election observers, under the umbrella of Forum of Election Observers Groups, have praised the outcome of the governorship and State House of Assembly elections in Ogun State.
Speaking during its presentation of preliminary election report in Lagos on Thursday, the group said the outcome of the election is a through reflection of the wishes of the people of Ogun State.
The team lead of the group, Ayodeji Ologun, who presented the report, said the results as announced by INEC during the last governorship and State House Assembly election in Ogun State were consistent with it parallel vote tabulation results estimates.
Ologun said “Not minding various reactions that have trailed the outcome of the elections, we consider it a patriotic duty, to inform Nigerians, about our observations, and ultimately advise against tendencies, that seek to undermine the progress, being recorded in our democratic journey as a nation.
“While it is no doubt that several complains have risen as a result of the eventual outcome of the elections, particularly, last Saturday’s governorship and State house of Assembly elections, we wish to state, that the election, witnessed a significant improvement, from the widely criticised Presidential and National Assembly elections, held on February 25 in the country.
“The March 18 Governorship and State House of Assembly elections, witnessed a significant improvement in the performance of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and this in no doubt, impacted positively on the eventual outcome of the election.
“For the purpose of emphasis, this report become important, considering series of reports and agitations, so far generated, by the outcome of the last Saturday’s elections, and negative reports being attributed to it, by some politically exposed interests.”
Ologun said the lapses and reports of malfeasance in some polling units was insignificant when compared to the progress made during the election.
“There is no doubt, that last Saturday’s election was a test for our democracy, as it presented an opportunity for us, as a people, to consolidate on the gains of the previous elections and deepen our democratic transition.
“Although INEC introduced reforms to deepen electoral integrity and citizen’s participation, the elections witnessed some of the shortcomings that were seen during the February 25th Presidential and National Assembly elections.
“We also strongly believe, that INEC must improve its capacity to deliver credible elections and political parties must play according to the rules as failure to do so could undermine Nigeria’s democracy.
“We wish to state, that the outcome of the Governorship election in Ogun state, largely reflect the opinion of the vast majority of Ogun State people, and very much in line, with the assessment of various stakeholders, including local and international observers, who witnessed the election,” he said.
