March 18 was a day many Nigerians waited for with anticipation of something different, especially from the electoral body that made a mess of the presidential election. The governorship and State Assembly elections held as scheduled, but not without flaws.
Political parties that participated in the Governorship and State Assembly elections, had different descriptions for the exercise.
For Peter Obi’s party, Labour Party, it was the worst ever.
Indeed, Labour Party has become the darling party of most Nigerians in the political space.
The political party is not happy with the way the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) conducted the elections.
The party says INEC has succeeded in mismanaging all the gains of electoral reforms.
In a statement by the chairman of the Labour Party, Julius Abure, the party described the governorship and State Assembly elections it witnessed as a rape of democracy in Nigeria.
A Complete Sham
The statement read: “Today, the INEC led by Professor Mahmood Yakubu has clearly proved to the world that the outcome of the February 25th Presidential Election which denied the Labour Party and its presidential candidate, Peter Obi the victory which Nigerians graciously gave him was not a ‘glitch’ as infamously claimed but a well-orchestrated plot to favour a particular political party and candidate.
“What transpired today (March 18) across the nation was a complete sham, as serious thuggery, violence and suppression of voters prevailed unchecked.
“People were prevented from going to vote for candidates of their choice, especially when they perceive you are supporting the opposition party.
“There were also incidences of ballot snatching, intimidation of voters and high level of vote buying.
“These electoral crimes were very visible in Rivers, Lagos, Enugu, Edo, Delta, and several other states”.
Also, the party decried the voter apathy, putting the blame on INEC.
“There was also a high level of voter apathy apparently because people have lost faith in the electoral process.
“They sincerely believe that it was not worth it after what happened on February 25, where the mandate given to the LP was stolen.
“People believe that their votes will not count anymore.
“So, INEC has succeeded in mismanaging all the gains that we have made in the electoral reforms,” the statement read.
Voters Harassment
Furthermore, the party, citing different locations where elections were not properly conducted, said voters were harassed.
“The Rivers state government used the state officials to harass voters.
“In Enugu, one of our supporters was shot and the entire Enugu North senatorial zone was invaded by thugs.
“In Lagos, the APC-sponsored thugs invaded polling units where our candidate has huge supporters”.
Also, Labour Party said “in Edo state, the thugs had a free day, unleashing maximum violence.
“It is very chaotic across the nation and it is very unfortunate”.
Another thing that voters complained about was poor security situation at polling units.
Thugs were allowed to harass voters in some place.
Also Read: Election Update: Thugs With Knives Attacked Me – Chioma Akpotha
Call For Cancellation Of Results
For Labour Party, “security agencies look the other way when there is violence.
“It is very apparent that even security agencies are equally compromised.
“We are very far from true democracy.
“The wishes and aspirations of the people have been defeated.
“What we have in Nigeria is a civilian dictatorship”.
The Labour Party further condemned the entire process and called for the cancellation of results from the polling units where voter intimidation and other forms of the crisis were witnessed.
It also wants President Muhammadu Buhari to rein in the Inspector General of Police to fish out all the compromised officers and punish them.
