KEY POINTS
- Nigerians expressed disappointment with INEC’s handling of the Edo election.
- Observer groups accused INEC officials of manipulating election results.
- Many called for reforms to prevent future election irregularities.
Nigerians sacrifice their time to cast their votes on election day, hoping their votes will count. However, INEC has consistently failed to meet their expectations.
Nigerians hoped INEC would redeem its reputation during the Sept. 21 Edo State governorship election.
However, 25 observer groups that monitored the election accused INEC officials of manipulation. They specifically pointed to collation officers at the local government and state collation centers, alleging they altered figures from the polling units.
In a joint statement, the observer groups said, “We reject the result declared because there are two sets of result sheets. One was used in the field, and another was given to the APC in Edo North, parts of Edo South, and Edo Central.
We observed that the military and police disrupted the collation of results at the wards and local government collation centers, including intimidation of INEC officials who were collating results.
This act is contrary to the provisions of the Electoral Act and INEC guidelines. There is significant concern about the credibility of the results collation process.”
“We reject the result of the election, which declared the All Progressives Congress candidate, Sen. Monday Okpebholo, as the winner. Militarization and impunity were evident at the wards, local government, and state collation centers.
INEC, the military, and the police clearly violated the provisions of the Electoral Act regarding the collation of results in the governorship election.”
Nigerians have expressed their disappointment with the conduct of the Edo governorship election, saying it is sad that INEC has not changed its ways.
Some citizens have also offered solutions to make future elections more credible and ensure people’s votes count. Some have called for a constitutional amendment to mandate electronic voting and electronic transmission of results, along with a law barring the president from appointing the INEC chairman.
Others suggested reinstating the Option A4 system to prevent manipulation by INEC officials.
Punishing electoral fraud—Aborisade
Human rights activist Femi Aborisade said, “Future elections may be protected against manipulation by electoral officials only if those suspected of manipulating the results face the consequences of their actions.
It is impunity that allows electoral officials to manipulate results. The critical challenge is whether the system will bring the culprits to justice.”
Aborisade noted that observers, including YIAGA, opposed the appointment of the INEC commissioner who conducted the election, citing his relationships with prominent figures and arguing that he could not be trusted to organize a free and fair election.
He also criticized the shifting of vote counting to the central collation center in some local governments, calling it a violation of electoral law.
“Impunity and failure to follow predetermined procedures are at the core of why voters’ choices do not count in determining who governs,” he added.
“Nigeria’s democracy has thus become the democracy of the few and powerful politicians who have captured political power and the wealth of society.”
Continued voter education necessary—Nwokocha
Pastor Innocent Nwokocha, executive director of the Initiative for Ideal Development and Emancipatory Leadership in Nigeria (IDEAL-NIGERIA), said, “The simple solution to this nauseating situation, which is eroding electoral confidence, is continued voter education and the strengthening of civil society.
The level of corruption in the country has gained momentum due to weak leadership and an uncontrolled quest for power.”
He added, “It is high time all Nigerians rose to the occasion and challenged this system of deceit.”
INEC must identify bad elements—Balogun
Moruff Balogun, the immediate past vice chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association’s Ijebu Ode branch, said, “It is not within the law’s contemplation for elections to be perfectly credible and free of threats.
Even the Electoral Act 2022 does not guarantee this. If elections are substantially credible and hitch-free, they are valid in the eyes of the law.”
According to a report by Vanguard, Balogun acknowledged the presence of “bad eggs” in INEC. “We have seen cases where INEC personnel were involved in electoral malpractices in collusion with political parties.
INEC authorities should be bold enough to identify and remove these individuals from the commission before it is too late,” he said.
A call for change—Abegunrin and Others
Deola Abegunrin, a legal practitioner in Oyo State, said, “Except the electorate changes, we should not expect miracles. We, the people, must change our attitude for things to improve. The judiciary is doing its best.”
Similarly, politician Babalade Omoyefa said, “We are all guilty, from politicians to voters. When you are seeking office, people put pressure on you to spend money, and once you do, they will go to any length to ensure you win.”
Public affairs analyst Ayodele Alake said, “Politicians, voters, the judiciary, and civil society are all culpable. There’s so much hunger in the country that people will jump at anything to put food on the table.
If leaders provided necessary amenities, corruption would be minimized. But with widespread hunger, voters will continue to exchange votes for handouts.”
Need for moral guidance—Pastor James
Pastor Olabode James of the Joint Fellowship Pentecostal Church emphasized the need for moral values. “The fear of God is lacking in our society. When you fear God, you think twice before selling your vote.
With impunity so rampant, people will do anything. Until we see God as the only provider, people will continue engaging in corrupt practices.”
