Democracy in Nigeria has been thrust into disarray, with the recent Edo State gubernatorial election serving as a clear testament to the dysfunction that continues to plague the system. The blatant irregularities, particularly in polling units where the number of accredited voters significantly differed from the votes cast, underscore the alarming scale of rigging. This is not just a case of electoral malpractice; it represents a deep-seated problem where the integrity of the democratic process is continually undermined by unprofessionalism and manipulation. The discrepancies were not mere oversights but pointed to a deliberate attempt to skew the results, further discrediting the credibility of Nigeria’s democracy.
The All Progressives Congress (APC), under whose watch Nigerians have faced untold hardship, bears a heavy responsibility for this chaos. The economic turmoil, soaring inflation, insecurity, and poor governance Nigerians have suffered under the APC cannot be separated from the party’s consistent pattern of manipulating elections to hold onto power. For a government that has inflicted so much pain on its citizens, the desperation to rig elections shows a continued disregard for the people’s will and a desire to maintain power by any means necessary.
It is crucial to issue a stern warning to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of the upcoming Ondo State gubernatorial election. The anomalies witnessed in Edo must not be repeated. INEC has a constitutional obligation to ensure that elections are free, fair, and transparent. Nigerians are watching closely, and any attempt to compromise the integrity of the election will not be tolerated. The Ondo election must not become another avenue for APC to exploit, given its track record of rigging elections to secure victories.
APC has never won an election in Nigeria without controversy or allegations of rigging, and this is a pattern that must be stopped. INEC must remain neutral, uphold the democratic values enshrined in the constitution, and avoid becoming a tool for political manipulation. The future of Nigeria’s democracy depends on it. Failure to do so will further erode public confidence in the democratic process and deepen the crisis of legitimacy that has plagued governance in recent years.
Peoplesmind
