Following the announcement of the results for the 2024 Edo State gubernatorial election, Labour Party candidate Olumide Osaigbovo Akpata has said that the election was a transaction in which the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) bought the votes of Edo people rather than engaging in free and fair election practices.Akpata, in a press statement released on Monday, addressed the outcome of the Edo governorship elections, lamenting vote-buying, voter apathy, and what he perceives as a flawed electoral process.He described the election, held on 21 September 2024, as being compromised by voter intimidation and falsification of results, while also pointing to one of the lowest voter turnouts in recent years. “This disengagement ultimately contributed to the worst-case scenario we now face,” he remarked.”What transpired on 21 September 2024 was not an election but a transaction,” Akpata stated, highlighting that both the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) engaged in widespread vote-buying.Citing the civil society organisation YIAGA Africa, he said that the election had been reduced to a “commodities market” where voters were auctioned off to the highest bidder. “What transpired on 21 September 2024 was not an election but a transaction,” he stated.Despite his criticisms, Akpata extended understanding to those who sold their votes, acknowledging the severe economic hardships faced by many in Edo State. “To those who sold their votes: We extend our understanding, not condemnation. We acknowledge the crushing economic hardships that many of you face daily—hardships that make the immediate relief of vote-selling seem like a lifeline. Yet, this short-term gain comes at an immense long-term cost,” he said.Akpata emphasised that while his campaign refused to engage in vote-buying, this was not due to political naivety but a firm commitment to democratic principles. He said, “We did not budget to compete with the two political parties whose Governors perhaps may have dipped their hands into their States’ treasuries to provide the war chest for this show of shame. Even if we had the resources, we lacked the inclination to participate in such a perversion of democracy.”He further noted that this commitment was illustrated by his loss in his own polling unit as he said, “If I were so inclined, I could have easily mustered enough cash to secure enough votes to win my polling unit. But that is not the path we chose.”Akpata did not shy away from condemning both the APC and the PDP, accusing them of damaging Edo State’s economy and contributing to the current political landscape where wealth determines electoral success.”We reserve our strongest condemnation for those who engaged in vote-buying: the APC and PDP. Their actions have directly contributed to the destruction of our State’s economy over the past 25 years.”He added, “This election has laid bare the stark reality that our political landscape is dominated not by ideologies or the people’s will, but by those with the deepest pockets and the most extensive networks of influence.”Calling for electoral reform, Akpata urged for a shift towards a system where technology could be used to combat vote-buying and ensure free and fair elections. He also called on civil society, INEC, and other stakeholders to reflect on the irregularities of the election and work towards a better future.“Let this moment serve not as a defeat, but as a rallying cry for all who believe in the promise of democracy. The power to shape our future lies not just in the ballot box, but in our daily commitment to the values of integrity, transparency, and public service,” he concluded.Ozioma Samuel-Ugwuezi
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