Concerns have continued to emerge from the opposition parties and several bodies and individuals since the Independent National Electoral body announced the result of the just concluded Edo gubernatorial election that took place last Saturday.
The electoral umpire had declared Monday that Okpebholo, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress winner of the poll with a total of 291,667 votes, while his nearest opponent, Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), garnered 247,655 votes.
The result which does not sit well with the former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, has made him air his view on the issue of the state of democracy in the nation.
In light of this, Secondus blasted the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC, for burying democracy. He added that 2027 may never come into our political lives. He noted this on Tuesday in a statement signed by his Media Adviser, Ike Abonyi, in Abuja.
The former chair condemned the election, accusing organizers of bending rules to secure the APC candidate’s success. He argued that the action indicates the ruling party’s mission to “murder and bury democracy in Nigeria.”
Speaking further, he said the events of last weekend in Edo state is an example of election fraud that was committed with no regard for the law or the will of the people. He held that all the results of the off-cycle elections held in Imo, Kogi, and Edo, state respectively led by Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu, INEC, do not display any regret for the fraudulent election it held in 2023 that disqualified Nigeria.
For Secondus, it is evident that 2027 will not even occur given the ruling party’s agenda to stifle the opposition in order to establish a one-party state. This is demonstrated by the “shameless boast” of APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje that they will use the Edo template in other upcoming off-cycle elections in the states of Ondo and Anambra.
He said, “The beauty of democracy is the opposing voices that help to check the ruling party but APC is set to ground Nigeria with their misrule yet won’t tolerate variance views.
“Nigeria’s democracy is sitting on the keg of gunpowder because of rigging. If the Edo Election stands it will be difficult to carry on elections in Nigeria going forward.”
“The world is watching the shame we bring to this beautiful form of government that other nations apply to stabilize and develop their countries.” He said.
Secondus restated that the blatant manipulation of the Edo state election began with the intimidation and detention of opposition leaders, as well as the compromise of key players such as electoral officials and security services.
Following Saturday’s poll in Edo state, what is your thought on Secondus’ assessment of the poll, is our democracy truly sitting on a keg of gunpowder or he is expressing a perception that is sole and biased due to his party affiliation?
