ν Process flawed, claims opposition party
ν Tinubu lauds exercise
From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has said the outcome of the bye-elections held last Saturday in 16 state and federal constituencies across 13 states, was a reflection of the low level the country’s electoral process has degenerated under President Bola Tinubu-led administration.
In a statement by its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said the exercise did not reflect its strength rather it was a reflection of how the electoral process has deteriorated under the President Tinubu-led All Progressives Congress (APC) controlled Federal Government.
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The party noted that the bye-elections to fill vacant state and national assembly seats, were marred by violence, vote buying and manipulation, as well as administrative lapses.
It noted that the votes of the ordinary citizens become meaningless in a situation where polls were allegedly marred by violence, opposition candidates excluded and votes openly traded, with the complicity of the institutions that should protect democracy. “What Nigerians witnessed in Saturday’s by-elections is yet another reminder that under the current administration of President Bola Tinubu and the APC, democracy itself, just like the economy and our national security, continues to decline.
“When elections are marred by widespread violence, ballots are openly and brazenly exchanged for money, opposition candidates are excluded without explanation, and the very institutions entrusted to safeguard democracy become complicit, then the vote of the ordinary Nigerian ceases to have meaning.
“In some states, nearly 300 thugs armed with rifles, knives and cutlasses were arrested on election day. Is this democracy or banditry disguised as voting?
“In some states, the entire polling units were cancelled due to ballot box snatching and open intimidation of voters. If citizens cannot go to the polls without fear of assault, then the most basic covenant between the state and its people has already broken down.
“In one state, a vote-buyer was caught with N25.9 million intended to procure and corrupt the will of the people. In another, election officials were implicated in similar inducements. This is no longer isolated malpractice; it is fast becoming the political culture of our electoral process under the APC.
“After so many years, the failure of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) in some states has once again raised questions about the Commission’s competence, sincerity and perhaps, complicity. Nigerians deserve elections that commands the implicit confidence of every citizen and respect of the rest of the world. INEC must not be allowed to turn excuses into a code of conduct.”
Furthermore, the ADC posited that the bye-elections represented a clear indication of a dress rehearsal for 2027, stating that, “If violence, vote buying, candidate intimidation and exclusion, and collusion between security forces and compromised election officials become the new normal, then Nigerians and the international community must brace up for tough times.”
It charged President Tinubu to rise above partisanship and demonstrate leadership by ensuring that citizens cast their ballots freely and safely. It added that the President must recognise that a government that consistently superintends over polls perceived as flawed by its citizens and the international community cannot claim legitimacy.
“We call on the INEC to immediately investigate the brazen and reckless irregularities that have been revealed and reported, sanction all compromised officials and take urgent and necessary steps to restore public confidence in our nation’s electoral process. If the INEC cannot guarantee the integrity of a by-election, then Nigerians are right to question its institutional capacity and all-round readiness for a general election.
“In a similar regard, the ADC calls on the international community, especially Nigeria’s democratic partners and election observers, not to look away. Silence in the face of such brazen subversion of democratic norms will only embolden those who profit from this chaos. Nigeria is too important to Africa and the world to allow its democracy to collapse under the weight of complicit impunity.
“The ADC notes the recent declaration of both the PDP and the APC as terrorist organisations by a Canadian court. This must have come as great embarrassment to all citizens, but evidence of this by-election makes it difficult to plead their case,” the party said.
…Dress rehearsal for 2027 –PDP chieftain
From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) deputy national youth leader, Timothy Osadolor, has described last weekend’s bye-election as a pointer to what Nigerians should expect in the 2027 polls, if there is no electoral reforms.
Osadolor, who is also a leader of the PDP in Edo State, dismissed the bye-elections as a sham, noting that it was characterised by malpractice.
According to him, apart from the brazen buying of votes during the elections in different constituencies, state institutions were allegedly deployed to deny eligible voters the opportunity to cast their ballots.
While calling on Nigerians to push for electoral reforms, he stated that unless that was achieved, the next general elections would not reflect the wishes of the people.
“What happened yesterday was not only a sham, it was also a pointer to what will happen or most likely to happen in 2027 if electoral reforms are not done in this country. We saw where state institutions and personnel were colluding openly and brazenly to deny and disenfranchise registered voters from participating in the elections in many constituencies where they had bye-elections.
“Until we have electoral reforms, any discussion that has to do with 2027 is at best a joke. Therefore, I want to call on all well-meaning Nigerians and civil society organisations to add their voices and clamour for electoral reforms prior to 2027. Otherwise, we will have a reenactment and repeat of 2027,” Osadolor stated.
Meanwhile, efforts to reach the party’s national publicity secretary, Debo Ologunagba and the deputy national publicity secretary, Ibrahim Abdullahi, for the party’s position on the exercise, was unsuccessful as they did not respond to repeated calls to their mobile phone lines.
…Tinubu applauds winners, praises INEC for smooth conduct across 12 states
From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
However, President Tinubu has congratulated candidates who emerged victorious in the by-elections even as he also lauded the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the largely peaceful and well-managed elections.
According to the results announced by INEC, the All Progressives Congress (APC) won in 12 constituencies, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) secured two seats, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) each took one constituency.
A statement by the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said President Tinubu singled out the newly appointed APC national chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, for driving the party to a notable first electoral win under his leadership.
He noted that Yilwatda’s leadership and the unity among party members were critical factors in the electoral success.
He thanked the APC governors and the party leaders for their contributions and reaffirmed the party’s commitment to the “Renewed Hope” vision; a pledge to build a safer, more prosperous Nigeria. “We are determined to take the nation to a better place, by the grace of God,” he added.
He equally commended all the political parties and candidates involved in the by-elections, encouraging them to maintain the spirit of fair play, respect and maturity that is vital for the country’s democratic progress.
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