An independent monitoring group, under the aegis of Forum of Election Observers Groups, has declared that the outcome of the governorship and House of Assembly elections in Ogun State, largely reflect the opinion of the vast majority of residents in line with the assessment of various stakeholders, including local observers.

Coordinator of the group, Comrade Ayodeji Ologun, who stated this at a media briefing in Ikeja, Lagos, on Thursday, expressed a vote of confidence in the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, over the conduct and eventual results of the polls.

Instructively, Forum of Election Observers Groups were among the 146, 913 observers accredited by INEC, to observe the 2023 general elections.

According to Ologun: “As a group, we observed the 2023 Presidential, National Assembly, Governorship and State Assembly elections and we wish to state, that the results as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), during the last governorship and State Assembly elections, were consistent with our parallel vote tabulation results estimates.

A classical of this, is the result of the governorship and House of Assembly elections in Ogun State, which were monitored by many of our leaders, herein present.

“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 complaints have risen, as a result of the eventual outcome of the elections, particularly, last Saturday’s governorship and State House of Assembly elections.

“The March 18 governorship and State House of Assembly elections witnessed a significant improvement in the performance of the INEC, and this, no doubt, impacted positively on the eventual outcome of the election.”

Ologun stressed that the clarification became necessary considering a series of reports and agitations, so far generated, by the outcome of last Saturday’s elections, and negative reports being attributed to it by some politically exposed interests.

The group maintained that various organisations, for instance, had observers deployed to observe the governorship and House of Assembly elections in Ogun State, which also embarked on a conscious effort at monitoring and collating results of the elections, during the elections.

It continued: ‘The official results announced by INEC, into the governorship position and House of Assembly seats, were consistent with our Vote Tabulation results estimates. In other words, the results reflect the votes cast at the polling units, and the general interest of the people of Ogun State.

Furthermore, our findings revealed certain lapses and reports of malfeasance that impacted on the quality of the process in some polling units in the state, that, nonetheless, was insignificant, compared to the progress made during the election.

“Our observers, in some local governments, including Ikenne, Abeokuta South, Ijebu North and Ado-Odo Ota witnessed incidences of voter inducements and campaign during election.

“In fact, no less than 10 agents of the major opposition political party in the state, were arrested by security agents for attempting to induce voters with cash and compromise election officials, in parts of the Ado Odo-Ota Local Government.

We also witnessed how branded Automated Teller Machine ATM Cards, pre-loaded with money, were being used to induce voters and influence their choices 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 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 reflects 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.

“Finally, we wish to state that every democrat, who is committed to the advancement of our democracy, must discourage every attempt, by politicians, and political parties, to resort to self-help.

“We encourage every aggrieved individual and party, to explore the legal opportunities available, to seek redress, rather than encouraging any form of action, that seeks to undermine our democracy, and destabilise our peaceful coexistence as a people.”