Off-Cycle Elections: Voter Apathy, Thuggery Mars Election

As it is common with elections in Nigeria, rigging, violence, and thuggery ruled the day, as voting happens.

With a very serious assurance about the election coming from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), one would have expected a better outing. 

Yet vote buying, rigging, and thuggery among others made the off-cycle elections an interesting drama to watch.

With over 20 solid years in a democratic dispensation, Nigeria’s electioneering process has much work ahead.

In this Off-Cycle Elections, we have witnessed things that should not be a part of the process.

Abnormalities During Election 

Indeed, people say these things should naturally have made the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to cancel the process.

In Bayelsa, voters were being paid for their votes, with the highest bidder taking their thumb. In fact, it was happening right there at different polling units.

Observers in the state complained bitterly about this development, which was not addressed.

For instance, in Kogi State, there were incidences of malpractice and result sheets being filled even before elections commenced.

Also, government officials were said to be going about with huge amount of cash to either buy votes or rig the election.

Thugs were reported to have invaded some remote communities in Kogi State, to snatch ballot boxes.

Sadly, all of these were done amidst a supposed tight security in the State.

Voter Apathy Mars Election

In Imo State, much of the people stayed away from the electioneering process. A situation that led to voter Apathy.

So, yes, the election has been conducted and done with. It is very obvious that the judiciary will be receiving petitions in a matter of days.

Have You Watched Moment Uzodinma Was Declared Winner?

In coming days, like other elections, those who lost in the contest would seek judicial review of the process.

One of the side-effects of staying away from elections whether because of violence or otherwise, is that whatever choice the few who show up make, in terms of leadership becomes binding on all.