By Milcah Tanimu

Engr. Christen Omofoma, the Labour Party (LP) leader for Edo Central Senatorial District, has strongly criticized the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC) for conducting a local council election that he alleges was marred by a blatant disregard for equity and the rule of law.

In a brief statement issued on Sunday, following the Saturday poll, Omofoma asserted that the election was “fraught with fraud” and lamented that it resembled the “charade” of the February 25 presidential election.

He claimed that the LP had a clear lead in areas such as Ward 9 in Esan Central but that the state electoral commission announced results to the contrary. Omofoma also alleged that the LP emerged victorious in several other polling units, including polling unit 9 in Ward 3, Okpoji, and similar situations occurred in multiple places.

Expressing his disappointment, the Edo Central Senatorial leader noted that “ASIEC has not lived up to the expectation of the people” and cautioned against undermining the progress achieved in Nigeria’s democracy.

It’s worth noting that the LP’s national chairman, Julius Abure, had previously condemned the election and called on Governor Godwin Obaseki to annul the results and organize a fresh election.

Omofoma expressed concerns about the state of democracy in Nigeria, suggesting that it is under threat at various levels due to the actions and activities of those entrusted with championing it. He called on the international community, including ECOWAS, AU, and the UN, to closely scrutinize the conduct of politicians in Nigeria to protect the gains the nation has made in its democratic journey.