The apex Igbo sociocultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has urged opposition parties in Kogi, Imo, and Bayelsa States to accept defeat in last Saturday’s governorship election.
Factional Secretary-General of Ohanaeze, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, made the remark while congratulating Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, and Governor-elect Usman Ododo of Kogi State on their victory in Saturday’s off-cycle governorship election.
A statement by Isiguzoro reads partly: “Ohanaeze Ndigbo would like to extend its congratulations to the winners of the off-cycle Governorship elections: Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, Governor Usman Ododo of Kogi State, and Governor Duoye Diri of Bayelsa State.
“We urge the opposition political parties and their Governorship Candidates in Kogi, Imo, and Bayelsa States to accept the outcome of the elections and their respective fates.
“While it is their constitutional right to challenge the irregularities in the electoral processes, it would be a futile exercise considering that compromised INEC staff have meticulously concealed all evidence of these aberrations.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo remains committed to upholding the principles of democracy and ensuring that the voices of the people are heard.
“We call on all stakeholders, including political parties, civil society organizations, and the international community, to join hands in demanding electoral reforms that will guarantee transparent, free, fair, and credible elections in Nigeria.”
