“Edo Gov Election: Blatant State Capture, Does Not Represent Democratic Process” – Peter Obi

By Ayodele Oni

Labour Party, (LP) Presidential candidate in the last general elections, Peter Obi, has reacted to Saturday’s governorship election in Edo State. He said it fell short of an election.

According to him, the All Progressives Congress, Monday Okpebholo, that was declared winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)   captured the state and was not elected.

Reacting in a post on X, Monday afternoon, Obi said 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,  he said it was a blatant example of ‘state capture’ and continued gross undermining of Nigeria’s  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 urged 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.

“I remain committed to building a new and truly democratic Nigeria, which I insist is very possible.”