Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has condemned the Edo State governorship election held on Saturday, calling it a “blatant example of state capture” that undermines Nigeria’s democratic process.
In a statement posted on Monday via X, Obi voiced his concerns about the integrity of the electoral system in light of the weekend’s events.
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“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 said.
He warned that such flawed leadership recruitment processes could have dire consequences for the nation.
Obi called on authorities to address the situation, stating, “I urge those in authority not to allow this situation to stand, or depend on it to remain in power.”
He stressed the need for proper utilization of the Independent National Electoral Commission’s technological innovations, such as IReV and BVAS, to guarantee free and fair elections.
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The former Anambra State governor also called out those engaged in undermining the democratic process.
“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,” he said.
Obi extended his warning to academics and others involved in the alleged electoral malpractices, urging them to critically reflect on the roles they are playing in undermining the very foundation of Nigeria’s democracy.
Reiterating his vision for Nigeria, Obi stated, “Today’s politics is not about capturing power, but about saving the country and making it work for everyone, regardless of their background.”
At the conclusion of Saturday’s election, INEC declared the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Monday Okpebholo, as the winner with 291,667 votes, defeating his closest contender, Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who secured 247,274 votes.
Despite expectations, the Labour Party, represented by Olumide Akpata, failed to make a significant impact, garnering only 22,763 votes.