U.S. Embassy In Nigeria Raises Alarm Over Edo Tribunal Ruling; Calls for Transparency and Accountability

 

The United States Mission in Nigeria has issued a pointed critique of the recent tribunal ruling concerning the September 21 Edo State gubernatorial election, expressing deep concerns over what it described as significant irregularities that may undermine democratic integrity.

In a strongly worded statement posted on the U.S. Embassy’s official X (formerly Twitter) account, the Mission cited what it called “serious lapses in the collation process”—an issue that has triggered alarm across Nigeria’s civil society and among international election observers. These irregularities, according to the statement, raise questions about the legitimacy of the process and its outcome.

Ambassador David Greene Mills, reiterating his earlier remarks delivered on September 24, stressed the vital importance of transparency and strict adherence to due process. “The United States reaffirms our commitment to supporting free, fair, transparent, and credible elections in Nigeria,” Mills noted. “A democratic system can only function effectively when the public has confidence in the process and believes that their votes count.”

The tribunal’s recent decision, which upheld the election of the ruling party’s candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has become a flashpoint in Nigerian political discourse. Multiple civil society organizations have alleged widespread electoral fraud in favor of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and have condemned the tribunal's ruling as a green light for impunity.

While the U.S. Mission stopped short of outright condemning the tribunal’s decision, its emphasis on the collation process—a pivotal phase in vote tallying where manipulation can easily occur—suggests unease with how the election results were processed and declared.

Observers from various non-governmental organizations and advocacy groups had flagged inconsistencies in collation centers across several local government areas, claiming results were altered or failed to match voter tallies from polling units. Such lapses, critics argue, reflect systemic issues in Nigeria’s electoral machinery that have persisted despite repeated calls for reform.

“The lapses we saw go beyond technical glitches,” said a representative from a prominent Nigerian election watchdog group. “They speak to deeper problems of manipulation, lack of transparency, and political interference, especially during collation.”

As the legal appeals process proceeds, the U.S. Mission has made it clear that it is watching closely, particularly in light of the concerns raised by civil society. The Embassy’s renewed focus on the issue has also been interpreted as a diplomatic signal to the Nigerian judiciary, urging it to operate with impartiality and a firm commitment to the rule of law.

Diplomatic observers note that the United States rarely comments on local electoral tribunal rulings unless significant concerns are present. This statement, therefore, signals a heightened level of scrutiny and may influence how the judiciary approaches pending appeals.

The U.S. Mission concluded its statement by underscoring its continued support for Nigeria’s democratic development and called on all stakeholders—government officials, judiciary actors, and electoral bodies—to ensure that the will of the people remains at the heart of all electoral processes.

As Edo State remains in political limbo pending the outcome of appeals, all eyes are now on the courts—and on Nigeria’s international partners—to see how this test of democracy unfolds.