Politics

Edo Election Was Transaction, Not Election, Says Olumide Akpata, Condemns ‘Vote-Buying’ By APC, PDP

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

Follow us on:

Ozioma Samuel-Ugwuezi

View Comments

  • <<<<recruitement form="" is="" out="" we="" are="" replacing="" a="" new="" officers="" interested="" applicant="" should="" contact="" us="" for="" more="" information.;="">>><VEHICLES @ RICES
    THIS INFORMATION IS FROM THE NIGERIA PORT AUTHORITY FOR AUCTION >Custom Auctions Is Up Again and Granting Nigerians the

    Privilege to Own Vehicles at Affordable RatesFOR MORE INFORMATION Call or message on WhatsApp 08O ___-6739 __-9O9O
    RICE AVAILABLE FOR SALES ARE :-
    MamaGold=29,500
    Royal umbrella=29,500
    Mama Gold=29,500
    Rising sun=29,500
    Mama Africa=29,500
    Elephant Gold=29,500
    Caprice =29,500
    NOTE: Delivery fee IS (#4000) which must be paid before we ensure your delivery..
    *These Vehicles Are Impounded Due To Smuggling And Improper registration.*
    *These Vehicles Are Direct Tokunbo and Has Never Been Used In Nigeria.*.For any purchase
    Call the officer
    08O ___-6739 __-9O9O

    •Toyota Land Cruiser-N1.3m
    •Toyota Prado N1.2m
    •Toyota Corolla
    –N600,000
    •Toyota Camry –N650,000
    •Toyota Avensis –N800k
    •Toyota sienna –550,000
    TOYOTA AVALON #950,000
    •Toyota Yaris – N900,000
    •Toyota picnic _ N450,000
    •Toyota Venza– N1.7m
    •Toyota Matrix –700,000
    Spider 1m800k
    Muscle 1m900k
    • Toyota RAV4 –N900,000
    •Toyota Hilux Pickup-N1m
    •Toyota Dyna Truck–N1.3million
    •Toyota 4 Runner–N1m
    tundra 2.670,000
    tacoma 2.5Million
    •Toyota Hiace Bus –N1.5m
    •Toyota Highlander-N1.2m
    •Toyota Big daddy-800k

    Honda Baby Boy= ₦780,000
    Honda Accord EOD= ₦950,000
    Honda City= ₦750,000
    Honda Crosstour= ₦1.2M
    Honda CR-V= ₦950k
    Honda Odyssey= ₦850,000
    Honda Pilot= ₦1Million

    *Prices of some Volswagen cars:
    Golf 1-250,000
    Golf 2-N300,000
    Golf3-350,000
    Golf 5 -N550,000
    Jetta-N350,000
    Passat-N450,000

    LEXUS ES300@#1.3 MILLION
    LEXUS ES330@#1.6 MILLION
    LEXUS ES350@#2 MILLION
    LEXUS RX300@#1.7 MILLION
    LEXUS RX330@#3 MILLION
    LEXUS RX350@#4 MILLION
    LEXUS RX400@#3.5 MILLION
    LEXUS GX460@#4 MILLION
    LEXUS GX470@#5 MILLIONLexus GX460=₦6.6M
    Lexus GX470=₦8.4M
    Lexus GX570=₦13.8M
    Lexus IS-250=₦2.1M
    Lexus ES-330=₦1.5M
    Lexus ES-350=₦2.6M
    Lexus RX300= ₦1.5M
    Lexus RX330= ₦2.8M
    Lexus RX350= ₦3.2M. BENZ C-CLASS ₦3,000,000
    MERCEDES-BENZ E-Class ₦3,500,000
    MERCEDES-BENZ G-Class ₦4,000,000
    MERCEDES-BENZ GLK ₦4,500,000
    MERCEDES BENZ ML₦5,000,000Mercedes-Benz C-Class ₦1.5 million
    Mercedes-Benz E-Class ₦1.7 million
    Mercedes-Benz G-Class ₦2.5 million
    Mercedes-Benz GLK ₦3.5 Million
    Mercedes Benz ML350 ₦2.3 million
    Mercedes Benz g-wagon ₦125 million.

    Range rover vogue 6mill
    Range rover sport HSE 4.8m
    Land rover 3.3m

    MANY MORE EXCLUSIVE OFFER'S LIKE.....
    LAPTOPS, GENERATOR'S, FRIDGE, CONTAINERS, PHONE, MOTORCYCLE, AND KEKE.... Bales of Okirika Clothes 50kg for #35,000, 100kg for #75,000 and 150kg for #180,000

    👉KEKE MARUWA.
    Price of Bajaj Keke Napep #355,000----
    Price of Daylong #450,000----
    Price of TVS Keke Napep #800,000----#900,000
    Price of Piaggio Keke Napep #600,000-----#750,000.

    👉 CONTACT 08O ___-6739 __-9O9Oags of cement #3,500
    Delivery cost is #1,000

    EVERY BUYER IS EXPECTED TO PAY FOR THE DOCUMENTS OF THE VEHICLES BEFORE THE DELIVERY WILL COMMENCE!!!!WE DELIVER NATION WIDE NOTICE INSTALLMENTAL PAYMENT IS ALLOWED!!! ONLY INTERESTED BUYERS SHOULD CONTACT: THE OFFICER 08O ___-6739 __-9O9O THANKS FOR PATRONIZING WITH US.!!!〽.〽.〽.〽.〽〽〽〽.〽〽〽〽〽〽.〽.〽.〽.〽〽.〽.〽.〽.〽〽.〽.〽.〽.〽〽.〽.〽.〽.〽〽〽.〽.〽.〽.〽〽.〽.〽.〽.〽〽.

Recent Posts

109 Foreign Nationals Remanded in Kuje, Suleja Correctional Centres Over Alleged Cybercrime in Nigeria

The Federal High court in Abuja has remanded 109 foreign nationals in correctional centres over…

51 mins ago

NCAA Renews Aerodrome Certificates For Abuja and Lagos Airports

The NCAA has renewed the Aerodrome certificates of Nnamdi Azikiwe and Murtala Muhammed airports, reflecting…

56 mins ago

Wike Defends Judiciary Quarters Project, Says Criticism Won’t Distract Him From Working

FCT Minister Wike has said he has no regrets over the construction of judiciary quarters…

1 hour ago

Nigerian Government Conforms Arrest Of Simon Ekpa, Promises To Monitor Legal Proceedings

The Nigerian government has confirmed Simon Ekpa’s arrest in Finland, promising to provide updates as…

1 hour ago

Obasanjo: Nigeria Must Overcome The ‘Great Monster’ That Is Corruption To Make Progress

Obasanjo, at the funeral of former ICPC Chairman Olayinka Ayoola, said that Nigeria must fight…

1 hour ago

Court of Appeal Reserves Judgement on Fubara’s Suit Appealing Halting Of Rivers Monthly Allocations

The Appeal Court has reserved its judgement as Governor Fubara challenged the ruling halting allocations…

2 hours ago