Edo people in the diaspora have sent protest letters to the United Nations, the European Union, and various world leaders and organizations, urging them to intervene and prevent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu from allegedly planning to rig the upcoming Edo State gubernatorial election, scheduled for September 21, in favor of his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The letter, signed by the group’s President, High Chief Musa Amedu, who is based in the United Kingdom, and made available to newsmen, expressed deep concerns over any attempt by President Tinubu and the APC to manipulate the electoral process. The diaspora group warned that such actions could escalate the already tense political atmosphere in Nigeria and intensify the ongoing violence across the country.
The controversy stems from a statement made by President Tinubu last year during a post-primary campaign event at the Constantial Hotel in Benin City, where he vowed to “return Edo to an APC-governed state” if he were elected as the party’s presidential candidate.
President Tinubu said;
“You know me well, you know Adam Oshiomole well, we are still going to fight further, don’t worry, we are with you, you will not walk alone. One thing I can assure you is this: Do you want Edo back? As the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I will give Edo back to you. Edo will turn into a beautiful, if not more beautiful, and will be equal to Lagos. Be assured of that. Good night.”
In their letter, the diaspora group emphasized the need for international observers to be deployed to monitor the election, stressing that any electoral manipulation or violence would violate Nigeria’s commitments to international human rights laws and treaties, including the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
The letter reads;
“We, the Edo people in the diaspora, write to express our deep concern about the upcoming Edo State Governorship election scheduled for September 21st, 2024. We urge the United Nations and world leaders to take immediate action to prevent electoral manipulation and ensure a free, fair, and transparent process.
“President Tinubu’s recent statements and actions suggest a clear intention to rig the election in favour of his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC). We are alarmed by the escalating violence, intimidation, and harassment of opposition party members, particularly the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
“We appeal to the UN and world leaders to condemn President Tinubu and APC’s rigging threats and the spiralling electoral violence. We urge the Federal Government to ensure a free, fair, and transparent election. We advise the global bodies to deploy international observers to monitor the election process to ensure credible deviode of malpractices and violence.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu must be held to account for any gross violations of the international human rights laws and treaties that Nigeria has ratified.
“That includes the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) – ratified by Nigeria in 1983.
“International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)—ratified by Nigeria in 1993—and Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) – ratified by Nigeria in 2001.
“We request a response and action within 48 hours to ensure a peaceful and credible election. The integrity of Nigeria’s democracy and Edo State citizens’ rights are at stake.”