Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party and former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi has claimed the recent general election in Nigeria was a “show of shame.”
The LP former candidate mentioned this in a series of posts via his X page on Saturday, while comparing the 2023 exercise with what took place during the general elections in South Africa.
Obi said unlike in South Africa, the 2023 general elections in Nigeria lacked credibility and were plagued by allegations of fraud and widespread irregularities.
He wrote: “The outcome of the recent South African election results remains a shining example of what a transparent and efficient democratic electoral process should look like.
“With about 60% Voter turnout, over 90% of polling open on time, allowing diaspora voting, the results and updates were real-time without any form of technical glitches during the election.
“This demonstrated the robustness and transparency of their system. The seamless online dissemination of results further highlights their commitment to democratic principles and technological advancement.
“This is in stark contrast, to the show of shame that the giant of Africa, Nigeria, gave the World in 2023. Nigeria’s 2023, with less than 30% of Voter turnout, over 60% of the polling stations starting late, and no diaspora voting, the elections were plagued by allegations of fraud and widespread irregularities, all forms of glitches, despite an enormous expenditure to the tune of about a billion dollars (direct allocation of =N=313 Billion and donor agencies support).
“The process has been widely discredited. The differences between the two countries’ electoral processes are both stark and lamentable. South Africa’s Election Results Center, with its state-of-the-art electronic board, showcased results with unparalleled precision and speed.”
He added: “Meanwhile, Nigeria’s electoral process is mired in controversy and lacks transparency. This glaring juxtaposition is a painful reminder of our country’s ongoing struggles with democratic governance.
“It underscores the urgent need for comprehensive electoral reforms to ensure that our elections are free, fair, and credible. We must learn from South Africa’s example and strive to build a system that restores the people’s faith in our democracy.
“The time for action is now, and we cannot afford to delay any longer in addressing these critical issues for a new Nigeria is POssible!”
Source link : https://saharareporters.com/2024/06/08/nigerias-2023-election-was-show-shame-despite-n313billion-budget-peter-obi
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Publish date : 2024-06-08 12:00:06
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