The Labour Party (LP) candidate in the February 25, 2023 , presidential election, Mr. Peter Obi, has criticised the conduct of the Saturday, September 21 governorship election in Edo State, describing it as a blatant case of “state capture.”
Expressing worry that such actions are undermining Nigeria’s democratic processes, Obi, in a statement released on Monday via X, expressed dissatisfaction with the manner in which the electoral process was conducted over the weekend.
Insisting that the events witnessed in Edo State were not a true reflection of the democratic ideals that Nigerians have chosen for selecting their political leaders, staing that the election deviated from the core principles of democracy and fairness that should guide the recruitment of leadership in the country.
Obi raised the alarm over the potential consequences of a flawed electoral process, warning that it could lead to long-term negative impacts on the nation’s future.
He called on the relevant authorities to take immediate action and address the irregularities in order to restore confidence in the system.
“I urge those in authority not to allow this situation to persist or use it as a means to cling to power,” he surmised.
He further emphasised the need for the proper application of technological tools provided by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), such as the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal and the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), to ensure transparency and credibility in future elections.
Obi highlighted the importance of these innovations in guaranteeing that electoral outcomes reflect the true will of the people.
In a stern warning to individuals and institutions involved in undermining democracy, Obi pointed out that occupying positions of authority is not a license to abuse power, reminding those engaged in electoral malpractice that their time in office is limited and urging them to reconsider the damage they are doing to Nigeria’s democratic system.
He also extended this warning to academics and other professionals who are allegedly complicit in electoral misconduct, urging them to deeply reflect on their roles in weakening the country’s democratic foundation.
Obi called on them to consider the long-term implications of their actions on the country’s future.
Reiterating his vision for Nigeria, Obi noted that the essence of today’s politics should not be about seizing power at all cost, but rather about rescuing the country and ensuring that it works for the benefit of every Nigerian, regardless of their background or status.
At the conclusion of Saturday’s election, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Monday Okpebholo, as the winner with 291,667 votes.
His closest rival, Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), garnered 247,274 votes while the Labour Party candidate, Olumide Akpata, came a distant third with 22,763 votes.
