The candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 presidential election, Peter Obi, has condemned the recently held Edo State governorship election, which was won by the All Progressive Congress’ candidate, Monday Okpebholo.
Describing the election as ”a blatant example of state capture,’ Obi, in a statement on his X page, alleged that the outcome of the election does not represent the will of the people.
”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.
”Instead, it was a blatant example of’state capture’ and continued gross undermining of our democratic process and values,” he said.
The LP chieftain, who was in Benin City to show solidarity for Olumide Akpata, the party’s flag bearer in the election, also stated that the electioneering process in the country is leading Nigeria to its waterloo.
Obi said, ”Any nation whose leadership recruitment process is so fatally flawed is doomed, and we are all seeing the effect in our country.”.
”I urge those in authority not to allow this situation to stand or depend on it to remain in power.
”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 worsened.”
The former governor of Anambra State berated the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and others he alleged are complicit in subverting the will of the people.
”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.
”To the lecturers and others complicit in perpetuating this charade, you must reflect deeply on the roles you are playing in damaging the very foundation of our democracy.
”The damage you are causing today will inevitably take revenge on you tomorrow and affect your children in the future.
”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, regardless of their background.
”I remain committed to building a new and truly democratic Nigeria, which I insist is very possible,” Obi added.
