Nigeria Will Suffer If You Mishandle Edo Election, Odinkalu Warns INEC

Chidi Odinkalu, former chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), warned that mismanagement of the ongoing Edo governorship election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) could have national consequences.

Odinkalu, in a post on his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Saturday, highlighted the strategic importance of Edo state as a transit hub for the entire country.

“If Mahmood Yakubu & @inecnigeria mess with #EdoDecides2024, all of #Nigeria will suffer it: there is hardly anywhere u can go to in Nigeria without passing through Edo,” Odinkalu wrote.

His warning follows concerns regarding transparency of the election process.

On September 14, Odinkalu criticised INEC chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, which led to backlash from Kamson Chidubem, convener of the Civic Integrity Initiative (CII).

Chidubem accused Odinkalu of biased commentary and unfair criticism of the electoral body, and called for a more balanced approach to public discourse on the matter.

Whoever wins the ongoing governorship election will succeed the incumbent governor, Godwin Obaseki. Over 2.2 million registered voters expected to participate in the election.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan also urged INEC and security agencies to uphold neutrality and fairness throughout the election.

In a statement issued on Friday, Jonathan said a “moral burden” lies on the institutions to act as impartial arbiters.