Toba Owojaiye
Benin City, Edo State
The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, YIAGA and all other election observers have raised concerns about the sham that was passed off as the Edo State governorship election. Once again, the credibility of Nigeria’s democratic process has been assaulted by an electoral system that seems hell-bent on perpetuating fraud, dishonesty, and disenfranchisement.
The brazen manipulation of the results by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) shows a blatant disregard for the rule of law and the will of the people.
How can anyone stand by and call this an election when the collation process itself was shrouded in darkness, with candidates’ representatives denied access to key phases of the process?
This is a complete violation of the Electoral Act and INEC’s own guidelines. And yet, with this reckless disregard for transparency, INEC had the audacity to declare Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) the winner, despite widespread reports of over-voting and irregularities.
Mimidoo Achakpa, co-convener of the Situation Room, called it out for what it was – a sham! Over 370 polling units across Edo’s 18 local government areas were rife with irregularities, and yet, this charade was allowed to proceed. Discrepancies between the final results and those recorded at polling units in key areas like Egor, Oredo, and Esan West were simply swept under the rug.
It’s time for this serial election manipulation to end. INEC must be held accountable for these gross violations, and those responsible for rigging this election should face justice. How long will Nigeria’s elections be synonymous with malpractice, violence, and disenfranchisement? This is not democracy – it is a farce, and Nigerians deserve better!