Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, has strongly criticized the recent Edo State gubernatorial election, citing irregularities and accusing the process of undermining democratic principles.
In a statement shared on his X (formerly Twitter) account on Monday, Obi expressed his dissatisfaction with the election held on Saturday, September 21, calling it a serious breach of Nigeria’s democratic process.
“What happened over the weekend in Edo State, in the name of an election, does not reflect the democratic process we have chosen to elect our political leaders,” Obi said. He went further to label the election as an example of “state capture” and a continuation of the systemic weakening of Nigeria’s democratic values.
Warning of the long-term effects, Obi stated that any nation with a flawed process for selecting its leaders is “doomed,” pointing out that the consequences of such failures are already evident across Nigeria. He called on the authorities to act, saying, “I urge those in power not to allow this situation to stand, or depend on it to maintain their positions.”
Obi also raised concerns about the integrity of election technologies, particularly the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) IReV and BVAS systems. He noted that significant investments have been made in these systems, and they must be fully and effectively utilized. “They must be allowed to function properly to free our electoral process from the massive falsification that has plagued it and worsened,” he added.
In his address, Obi issued a stern warning to individuals complicit in electoral malpractice, reminding them that their time in power is temporary. “To the agencies and individuals undermining our democracy because of the positions they hold, remember, your time in office is not eternal. The society you are helping to destroy today will eventually take its revenge on you tomorrow.”
Obi also called out university lecturers and other officials who might have been involved in manipulating the electoral process, urging them to consider the long-term consequences of their actions. “The damage you are causing today will inevitably take revenge on you tomorrow and impact your children in the future,” he said.
Reaffirming his commitment to building a truly democratic Nigeria, Obi emphasized that the focus should not be on capturing power but on saving the country and making it work for everyone. “I remain committed to building a new and truly democratic Nigeria, which I insist is very possible,” he concluded.
The election saw the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, declared the winner, defeating the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Asue Ighodalo, by a margin of 44,393 votes. However, the result has been widely criticized, with both the Labour Party (LP) and the PDP raising concerns about the transparency and fairness of the process, alleging electoral malpractice.
