The United States mission to Nigeria has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the people of Ekiti state and for the improvements recorded in the conduct of Saturday’s Ekiti governorship election.
The mission which gave the commendation in a statement on Wednesday, noted that election which produced Biodun Oyebanji, candidate of the All Progressives Congress, as governor-elect was largely peaceful.
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The statement said:
The United States Mission to Nigeria congratulates the citizens of Ekiti State on the largely peaceful conduct of the gubernatorial election on June 18.
We commend the concerted efforts of INEC staff and security personnel which helped facilitate a secure election with a credible outcome.
We note the election’s technical improvements including that the newly adopted bi-modal verification accreditation system (BVAS) functioned properly in the vast majority of polling stations. We encourage all citizens to register to vote as the country moves towards national elections.”
Despite the commendation of the United States, Nigerians expressed their disappointment over the outcome of the polls.
Their reaction followed reports of widespread vote-buying especially by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
This electoral crime was, however, not enough to give the PDP victory as it came a distant third, behind the Social Democratic Party (SDP) which finished behind winners, the APC.
