I Weep for Nigeria's Democracy After Witnessing the Shameful Edo Governorship Poll - Gov Ahmadu Fintiri
Introduction
Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State has expressed deep disappointment and concern following the conduct of the Edo State governorship election. The election, which saw the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, declared the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has triggered widespread criticism. Governor Fintiri, a prominent member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), took to his verified Twitter account to voice his frustration over what he described as a shameful assault on Nigeria’s democratic process.
INEC’s Controversial Declaration
In his reaction to the election outcome, Governor Fintiri strongly condemned the manner in which the Edo State governorship election was conducted. He specifically pointed out that the declaration of Senator Monday Okpebholo as the winner by INEC did not align with the principles of free and fair elections. Fintiri noted that he was deeply troubled by the conduct of the electoral body and the events surrounding the poll, stating:
“I weep for Nigeria's democracy after witnessing the shameful Edo Governorship poll.”
The governor emphasized that his concerns were not merely political but were driven by a genuine commitment to upholding democratic values. His remarks come at a time when Nigeria’s electoral process continues to face scrutiny from both local and international observers.
False Accusations and APC’s Distraction Tactics
Governor Fintiri also addressed what he described as an attempt by the APC to divert attention from the real issues surrounding the election. He noted that APC members had falsely accused him of announcing election results, a claim he categorically denied. Fintiri explained that he merely shared the results from INEC’s official Independent Results Viewing (IReV) portal, which were publicly available.
He expressed his frustration with these diversionary tactics, stating:
“The @OfficialAPCNg's desperate attempts to discredit me by falsely claiming I announced results won't distract from the real issue. I merely shared results from INEC's Irev portal, as collated by INEC from the various Local Government Areas.”
Fintiri’s statement highlighted the ongoing efforts by some political actors to shift the focus from the flaws in the electoral process to personal attacks.
Allegations of Electoral Manipulation and Voter Intimidation
The governor further expressed concern about the conduct of key APC figures during the Edo State election. He specifically criticized the actions of APC’s national leadership, noting that the national chairman of the party reportedly flew into Edo on election day, defying movement restrictions that were in place for the election. According to Fintiri, this act was not only a violation of election protocols but also an indication of the extent to which certain individuals were willing to go to manipulate the election.
He stated:
“What's truly shameful is APC's national chairman flying into Edo with a private jet on election day, defying movement restrictions, while their Governors used armoured escorts to intimidate voters.”
This allegation underscores Fintiri’s concern about the use of state machinery and security forces to intimidate voters and influence election outcomes. Such practices, he argued, erode public trust in the democratic process.
Vote-Buying and Manipulation of Results
Fintiri did not stop at voter intimidation; he also raised serious concerns about vote-buying and the manipulation of election results. According to him, there were reports of vote-buying on a large scale, as well as disruptions during the collation of results. Perhaps most alarming, Fintiri pointed out that there were discrepancies between the number of votes counted and the number of accredited voters, a situation that further undermined the credibility of the election.
He remarked:
“Nigerians are outraged, slamming @inecnigeria for compromising and favouring APC. The reported vote-buying, disruption of collation processes, and suspicious results with more votes than accredited voters undermine trust in our democracy.”
Such irregularities, Fintiri warned, threaten the integrity of the entire electoral process and cast doubt on the legitimacy of those elected.
Democracy Under Attack
In his concluding remarks, Governor Fintiri did not mince words, stating that Nigeria’s democracy is under serious threat. He called on Nigerians to rise in defense of democratic values and to hold those responsible for undermining the election accountable. Fintiri emphasized that the world is watching, and that Nigeria deserves better than what transpired during the Edo State governorship election.
“Democracy indeed is under attack. We must condemn this rape of democracy and demand accountability. The world is watching, and Nigeria deserves better,” he said.
Conclusion
Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri’s reaction to the Edo State governorship election reflects the growing disillusionment among many Nigerians with the state of the nation’s democracy. His concerns about electoral manipulation, voter intimidation, and vote-buying highlight the urgent need for electoral reforms that can restore public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic institutions. As the nation moves forward, it is essential that these issues be addressed to ensure the sustainability of democracy in Nigeria.
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