The much anticipated 2023 general elections in Nigeria was reportedly met with immense violence, voters suppression and other electoral malpractices across the country. Whilst Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressive Congress had been declared the President-Elect, this election, which many Nigerians held to as a ray of hope for the commencement of a better social, economic and political situation, but this mandate was overwhelmed by a consistent manipulation of the constitutional and electoral laws. The lackluster operation of BVAS was contrary to what was promised by the electoral body and in states like Lagos and Rivers, there was massive disenfranchisement.
Labour Party presidential candidate Mr. Peter Obi, has however weighed in on the alleged mass manipulation and voters suppression witnessed across the country during the presidential and National Assembly election which took place on February 28th. According to him, manipulating the rule of law and suppressing the will of the people are significant tools for the destruction of every society. He made this known in a shared newsletter shared on the eve of the Governorship and State National Assembly election which was rescheduled to March 18. In this letter, he noted that citizens across the country voted for a new Nigeria through the Labour Party. Appreciating every citizen for believing in him, he noted that the journey for a new Nigeria had commenced.
INEC’s lackadaisical approach would only exacerbate the present situation.
He further explained that this cause was jeered by a unified reason of making Nigeria work, rather than any religion, tribe, sentiments or class which divided us. He added that this cause was built majorly on the basis of honest belief and desire for a new Nigeria where freedom and potentials would be greatly supported to ensure the development of a sustainable and progressive society. He overtly noted that the lackadaisical approach of the Independent National Electoral Commission, even in the presence of extreme poverty, insecurity, a failing health and educational system, corruption and the economic downturn, were more alarming.
Peter Obi averred that this would only exacerbate the present situation, the people’s frustration and the country’s already deteriorating status quo. He thus urged the electoral body to obey the court orders and give access to the Labour Party’s legal and technical team for inspection of the required materials. He stated that INEC must not obstruct the process of justice and further explained that history has shown how societies are gradually destroyed as a result of the purposeful manipulation of the rule of law and suppression of the people’s will. He however noted that rather than a dampened spirit, everyone must be inspired by the passion and patriotic will of Nigerians to ensure a change in the current status quo.
Demands of the youths loud and clear to Nigeria and the global community.
Nigerian youths were praised for their bravery at daring to challenge the present situation, regardless of all the obstacles faced in the process of performing their civic duty. This, Obi said, was loud and clear to Nigeria and the global community. He referenced a certain Yusuf Alabi who stood in front of a moving car during his campaign, explaining that the undaunted passion of the youths to witnessing a better Nigeria is where he draws his inspiration. Obi noted that this defiled the criticisms from other political parties about not having a structure, indicating that the unifying purpose, courage, love and resilience were his structure.
Continuing on, he appealed to the masses to not waver but use the same burning aspiration displayed during the presidential election to come out and cast their votes for the gubernatorial and state national assembly elections. He claimed that irrespective of the result announced by INEC, he was assured that Nigerians came out to vote with hopes for a new Nigeria. This spirit, he said, was what led the emergence of Rishi Sunak as Prime Minister of United Kingdom; Sadiq Khan as the Mayor of London and the likes of Barrack Obama as the president of the United States of America.
The coordinated attacks on traders in southeast and southwest condemned.
In this letter, he also condemned the coordinated attacks on innocent traders particularly in the South East and parts of the South West, especially Lagos, as a result of their political pursuit. He noted that with every possibility of advancement, forces of retrogression in Nigeria have been continually attacked with violence, division and prejudice. Peter Obi noted that everyone must be United in condemning these perpetrations of tribal prejudices and violence. He also urged the security agencies to ensure that the perpetrators face the consequences in accordance with the law.
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Suppression of people’s will wrecks societies – Obi weighs in on the mass manipulation witnessed in the presidential election. – Express your point of view.
It is very shameful that INEC with Billions of naira giving to them to conduct credible election just wasted with no accountability because their promises failed and the results in most part of the country were tamper with which made them declare their prefer candidate as the winner without electoral due process.
Honestly, the election results were manipulated but I love the competition from other political parties. I hope this makes APC realize they have to sit tight and do the needful by address the following poverty, insecurity, a failing health and educational system, corruption and the economic downturn etc. Nothing is impossible.
The only thing that affected this election was the failure of BVAS and the cyberattacks on IREV. INEC failed in that which is what raises more concerns.
Although the election was challenging we still have to accept the faith and pray the winner’s regime favor us.
There are some issue that occur with some the equipment the INEC are using to verify voters the INEC should try and work on it to improve in the next election
The INEC just need to improve they ways and material used during election this are different equipment use apart from those that we’re been using before
The fact that people were suppressed is a breach of their humanitarian right and this act should not be condone in a country with guiding regulation.
Of all things electoral malpractices and right encroachment should not be entertained at all cause it t shows a weakness in our rule of law.
God in heaven will punish INEC chairman. He will see pains for make many Nigerians cry bitterly. Well will visit him soon. They don’t want Nigeria to get better due their selfish interest. Millions of Nigeria suffering hardship and they are happy, why na. They we not see peace
People’s humanitarian rights were violated by the fact that they were silenced, and in a nation with guiding regulations, this behavior should not be tolerated.
To be honest we can really say for sure that Obi won, but if only the electoral process was transparent it would have reassured the people
It should not be lost on Inec that the collapse of any civilization can be caused by denying people their rights and that can lead to huge chaos in the country which is very bad.
Inec’s promises regarding the efficacy of BVAS’s operation were directly at odds with the system’s actual performance, thus it’s unfortunate that the system’s implementation fell short.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) merely needs to refine its methods and the materials it employs in elections.
If the mandate was stolen from him, I hope he wins because it would not be right to be stripped off what rightly belongs to you and I hope the truth comes out.
We are suffering a lot in this country and I hope the government that enters will favour us because we can not spend another 4 years suffering, May God help us.
People came out in numbers for this election. They had all their hopes put together, only for their will and effort be suppressed. And we all know what happens when there’s frequent oppression, their victims fight back one day. Which might not go down well
This general election 2023 has shown what the youth is capable of doing when they unit to achieve a goal. The youth made their choice but was manipulated by the ruling party. The voice of the masses was suppressed. Irregularities in polling units. It is well
Honestly the will of the people was suppressed by the ruling party and the INEC that saw several electorial malpractices and went ahead to declare Bola Ahmed Tinubu Winner of the presidential election against the will of the majority particularly the youths.
The will and choice of the people have been suppressed a long time in Nigeria. It is so unfortunate. I just hope the new government will give freedom to Nigerians.