By Milcah Tanimu
Dr. Bright Enabulele, the Accord Party’s governorship candidate in the recently concluded Edo governorship election, has vehemently criticized the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). He accuses the body of overseeing what he describes as the “most corrupt election in Nigeria’s history.”
In particular, Enabulele highlighted his experience at Ward 5, St. Saviour Ivbiyeneva Primary School, Unit 1, in Ikpoba/Okha Local Government Area. While he voted on live television, he was officially credited with zero votes. Therefore, he raised a critical question: “How can I, a candidate who physically cast my vote on national television, receive zero votes in my own polling unit?” This situation, he argues, is a clear indication of the manipulation and corruption that plagued this election. He insists that “a vote stolen is democracy stolen.”
Furthermore, Enabulele questioned the credibility of the entire electoral process. He pointed out that if a candidate’s vote can be erased, it undermines the integrity of the entire system. In response to the alleged manipulation, Dr. Enabulele advocated for an electoral system that minimizes human interference. He proposed blockchain technology as a potential solution, emphasizing its benefits. “We need a transparent and incorruptible voting system, and blockchain technology offers that. It eliminates the possibility of manual tampering and ensures every vote is counted accurately,” he stated.
Moreover, he criticized the failure to fully utilize the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), which is designed to enhance transparency in Nigeria’s elections.
