The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released its report on the 2023 general election.
This was made known in a statement by Sam Olumekun, the National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee.
The commission said the publication of the report is in keeping with its tradition over the last four electoral cycles and commitment to transparency.
Olumekun said the Report showcases the election’s unparalleled diversity in party representation, demonstrating significant democratic progress.
According to him, the 2023 general election saw four political parties winning gubernatorial races, seven parties winning senatorial seats, eight in federal constituencies and nine in State legislatures, illustrating a broad shift in political representation across Nigeria.
He said the document has been made accessible on its website and social media platforms.
“On Thursday, 22nd February 2024, the Commission convened for its weekly meeting, where the 2023 General Election Report was reviewed and approved for publication.
It partly read: “In keeping with our tradition over the last four electoral cycles, and our commitment to transparency, we are pleased to announce the release of the official INEC report on the 2023 General Election.
“This comprehensive 526-page document, structured into 13 chapters and enhanced with 60 tables, 14 boxes and 10 graphs, offers an in-depth analysis of the election’s key processes, achievements, and challenges, alongside valuable lessons learned.
“The Report showcases the election’s unparalleled diversity in party representation, demonstrating significant democratic progress. This election saw four political parties winning gubernatorial races, seven parties winning senatorial seats, eight in federal constituencies and nine in State legislatures, illustrating a broad shift in political representation across Nigeria.
“The Report underscores the pivotal role of technological advancements, particularly the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), in enhancing electoral integrity and reducing fraud. Furthermore, it addresses public concerns about the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal, explaining the technical issues encountered during the upload of polling unit results for the presidential election.”
Meanwhile, Philip Shaibu, Edo deputy governor, says he is the authentic candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the Edo governorship election.
The deputy governor was declared winner of a factional governorship primary election that reportedly held at his residence in Benin City, the state capital, on Thursday.
Asue Ighodalo was also announced winner of another PDP primary exercise which took place at the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium.
During an interview on Sunrise Daily, a Channels Television programme, Shaibu said the election that produced Ighodalo was marred by irregularities and disregard for the party’s constitution.
“In the coming days, we will know who amongst us is authentic. By the time we give you the breakdown of the people that voted, you would see it was an arranged election for Ighodalo,” he said.
“I, the winner of this election, have already sent my team to reach out to Mr. Ighodalo so he can join me and work together.
“The primary process that produced Ighodalo was faulty. Yesterday, a group of delegates said they won the delegates election held on February 4 and they showed their names but they were rejected.
“We have serious gap as far as leadership is concerned and that is why we have this confusion.
“Those delegates insisted that they must have their election and they voted for me.
“Everything that took place yesterday was orgnaised by the state arm of the PDP and that contradicts our agreement at stakeholders meeting and it also contradicts our constitution that says it is the national that organises the election.”
Shaibu added that: “PDP should be extremely careful with Edo… let us not get to a point where we may not even field a candidate in this election”.
Ighodalo has maintained that the primary election he won was the authentic one because it was monitored by members of the party’s national working committee (NWC) and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The Edo governorship poll has been slated for September 21, 2024.
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