Former presidential candidate of Labour Party, Peter Obi, has strongly criticized the
recent Edo State gubernatorial election.
He described it as a clear deviation from democratic norms and a dire warning for the future of Nigeria's political process.
In a statement he shared via X, Obi expressed his dismay at what he
described as "state capture" and a continued undermining of
democratic values in the country.
He said:
"What happened over the weekend in the
name of election in Edo State does not in any way represent the democratic
process we choose as a method of electing our political leadership."
Furthermore, he emphasizing that the election
fell short of the standards expected in a true democracy.
Obi lamented that the leadership recruitment
process Nigeria is "fatally flawed," warning that a
nation whose political selection process is so compromised is bound to face
severe consequences.
He stated:
"Any nation whose leadership recruitment
process is so fatally flawed is doomed, and we are all seeing the effect in our
country."
He urged those in positions of power to
reconsider their approach, cautioning that reliance on such flawed processes to
maintain authority would ultimately backfire.
Obi's remarks underscore his long-standing
concern about the integrity of Nigeria's electoral system and the broader
implications for governance and national development.
Obi also called on those involved in the
election process, including government agencies, academics, and other
stakeholders, to reflect on their roles in what he termed a
"charade."
He warned that those who contribute to the
erosion of democracy would not escape the consequences of their actions, both
personally and for future generations, The Punch reported.
Obi cautioned:
"To the lecturers and others complicit in
perpetuating this charade, you must reflect deeply on the roles you are playing
in damaging the very foundation of our democracy.
"The damage you are causing today will
inevitably take revenge on you tomorrow and affect your children in the
future."
The announcement was made by Prof. Christian Ngwu, Chairman of the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC), who commended the peaceful conduct of the elections, describing them as free and fair.
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