Candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the Edo gubernatorial political race Olumide Akpata has lamented the reported boundless vote-buying and aloofness in the exercise, saying the poll was intended for the highest bidder.
“As attested to by YIAGA Africa, a leading civil society organisation and domestic observer group, our sacred electoral process was reduced to a commodities market – a bidding war for votes,” he said in a statement, hours after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Monday Okpebholo as the winner of the exercise.
As indicated by Akpata, who was third, behind the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s Asue Ighodalo, the vote-buying and voter apathy “effectively disenfranchised the people of Edo State”.
“Although the election was largely free from historical forms of election-day malpractice such as ballot box snatching and stuffing, it was nevertheless marred by voter intimidation and the falsification of results,” the LP candidate said.
“More insidiously, we witnessed one of the lowest voter turnouts in recent years, a testament to the apathy that has gripped our populace. This disengagement ultimately contributed to the worst-case scenario we now face.”
Seventeen candidates battled for the exalted seat.
He accused the PDP and APC of taking part in vote-buying and compared the election to “a transaction”.
The lawyer said the low turnout of the electorate made it easier for vote-buying in the exercise.
“Let us be clear: what transpired on 21 September 2024 was not an election but a transaction.
“It was enabled by those who chose to stay away, making it easier for the two dominant parties to afford a significant majority of the few votes on offer, and by those who came out and willingly sold their votes,” he said, thanking his supporters for their commitment.
“The path to true democracy is often long and fraught with challenges, but it is a journey we must undertake together. Our struggle for good governance, transparency, and accountability continues,” Akpata said.
“We must remain vigilant, engaged, and committed to the ideals that will truly move our State and our nation forward.”
