Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, has labeled the results of the recent Edo State elections as an instance of “state capture.”
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced that Senator Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) emerged victorious, with Asue Ighodalo finishing in second place and Olumide Akpata from the Labour Party coming in third.
In a tweet on Monday afternoon, Obi criticized the electoral process, stating that the elections in Edo fail to represent a true democratic system.
He emphasized that politics should prioritize serving the nation rather than merely striving for power.
Obi highlighted the flawed leadership recruitment process in the country, warning that it leads to severe consequences and urging those in authority to rectify the situation instead of exploiting it to cling to their positions.
He pointed out the substantial investments made in INEC’s IReV and BVAS systems, asserting that these tools must be effectively employed to combat electoral fraud.
Obi called on agencies and individuals undermining democracy to consider the long-term ramifications of their actions, warning that society will ultimately demand accountability for the harm inflicted.
His post reads;
“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.
“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 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.
“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.”
