Obi Labels Edo Election ‘State Capture’

Peter Obi, the Labour Party presidential candidate in the last general election, has criticised the just concluded Edo State governorship election, describing it as a glaring case of “state capture” and a continued attack on Nigeria’s democratic values.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Sunday, September 22, declared Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as winner of the September 21, 2024 governorship election.

Okpebholo, 54, secured 291,667 votes to defeat Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who got 247,274 votes and Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party (LP) who came a distant third in the race with 22,763 votes. Fourteen other candidates contested the seat but got less than the three frontline candidates.

Reacting to the election in a statement shared on his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Monday, Obi expressed concern over the conduct of the election, which he said did not reflect the democratic ideals the country strives for.

“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,” he stated.

Obi condemned the role of various actors in undermining the electoral process, singling out public institutions and individuals for their complicity.

He specifically urged lecturers and other professionals involved in facilitating what he called a “charade” to critically reassess their roles in damaging the foundation of the country’s democracy.

He said, “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 warned that the negative consequences of their actions would not only affect the country but also have personal repercussions.

“The damage you are causing today will inevitably take revenge on you tomorrow and affect your children in the future,” Obi cautioned.

The former Anambra State governor also emphasised the importance of maintaining integrity in the election process, stressing the need to fully utilize technological advancements like the Independent National Electoral Commission’s IReV and BVAS to ensure transparency.

“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,” he said.

Obi further criticised those in authority for using their positions to suppress the democratic process, reminding them that their tenure is temporary.

“I urge those in authority not to allow this situation to stand, or depend on it to remain in power.

“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.”

He reaffirmed his commitment to building a new, inclusive, and truly democratic Nigeria.

“Today’s politics is not about capturing power, but about saving the country and making it work for everyone, regardless of their background,” Obi said, reiterating his belief in the possibility of creating a better Nigeria for future generations.