“Edo gubernatorial election didn’t reflect democratic process” — Peter Obi

Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, has strongly criticized the outcome of the recently concluded Edo State governorship election, describing it as a clear case of “state capture.”

Peter Obi reacted after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Senator Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the election, with Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) coming second, and Labour Party’s Olumide Akpata finishing third.

In a tweet posted on Monday afternoon, Obi, the former governor of Anambra State, expressed deep disappointment over the conduct of the Edo election, suggesting that it did not reflect the democratic values Nigeria should uphold.

“What happened over the weekend in the name of election in Edo State does not in any way represent the democratic process we chose as a method of electing our political leadership,” Obi wrote. “Instead, it was a blatant example of ‘state capture’ and continued gross undermining of our democratic process and values.”

Obi argued that elections should not be about seizing power but about ensuring the country works for all its citizens. He lamented that the flawed electoral process is a serious threat to Nigeria’s democracy and governance.

“Any nation whose leadership recruitment process is so fatally flawed is doomed, and we are all seeing the effect in our country,” he warned. “I urge those in authority not to allow this situation to stand, or depend on it to remain in power.”

Obi further criticized the misuse of technology, particularly the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) and the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), which were introduced to enhance transparency but, according to him, were not properly utilized during the election.

“As a country, we have invested significantly in IReV and BVAS, and they must be allowed to function and used properly in order to free our electoral process from the massive falsification that has plagued it and worsening,” he stressed.

The former presidential candidate also took aim at individuals and institutions involved in manipulating the electoral process, warning that they would eventually face the consequences of their actions.

“To the agencies and individuals being used to undermine our democracy simply because they hold positions of authority, please remember that your time in office is not eternal. The society that you are helping to destroy today will eventually take her revenge on you tomorrow,” he added.

Obi singled out lecturers and others complicit in electoral malpractice, urging them to reflect on the long-term damage they are causing to Nigeria’s democracy and the future of their children.

“The damage you are causing today will inevitably take revenge on you tomorrow and affect your children in the future,” he cautioned.

In conclusion, Obi reiterated that genuine democracy is not about capturing power at any cost but about ensuring that the system works for everyone, regardless of background. He urged Nigerian authorities to correct the situation and uphold democratic integrity.

“This kind of action has no place in a true democracy. That is why I have always maintained that today’s politics is not about capturing power, but about saving the country and making it work for everyone,” Obi said.