Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, has responded to the outcome of the just-concluded Edo State governorship election held on Saturday.
The New Daily Prime earlier reported that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Monday Okpebholo, as the winner of the election.
According to INEC, Okpebholo secured 291,667 votes, defeating the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Asue Ighodalo, who garnered 247,274 votes, while Labour Party’s Olumide Akpata came in third.
Reacting to Mr Okpebholo’s victory on his X (formerly Twitter) page on Monday, the former Anambra State Governor expressed deep concerns, stating that the election results do not reflect the democratic process intended to elect political leadership.
Mr Obi condemned the election, describing it as a clear case of “state capture” and a continued gross undermining of Nigeria’s democratic processes and values.
He 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 is worsening. 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.”
Additionally, he warned that the damage caused by INEC and other stakeholders will eventually come back to haunt them, with future generations bearing the consequences.
Mr Obi reaffirmed his dedication to establishing a truly democratic and renewed Nigeria.
“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.
“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”, he said.
