Peter Obi: No Room for Election Rigging in Edo Gubernatorial Race
As Edo State prepares for its gubernatorial election this Saturday, Labour Party's (LP) 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has expressed firm confidence that the electorate will prevent any attempt at electoral malpractice. Speaking at a rally in Benin City on Wednesday, Obi assured supporters that the days of election rigging are numbered, declaring that any effort to manipulate the upcoming poll will be thwarted by the will of the people.
Commitment to End Election Rigging
Peter Obi, who served as governor of Anambra State, delivered his remarks at the grand finale of the Labour Party's campaign for Olumide Akpata, the party's candidate in the Edo gubernatorial race. Obi made it clear that Nigeria is entering a new political era where the power of the voters will prevail over electoral fraud.
“Election rigging is coming to an end in this country,” Obi declared, adding that, “This time around, anyone who tries to rig the election will be rigged out themselves.” He emphasized that Nigerians have been enduring severe hardships under poor governance, and the Labour Party’s mission is to end this cycle by ensuring fair and transparent elections.
Call for Credible Elections and Responsible Governance
Obi extended his call for accountability to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies, urging them to ensure that the gubernatorial election is free, fair, and credible. He stressed the importance of these institutions playing their part in upholding democracy, especially given Nigeria's history of contentious elections.
Criticizing the practice of state governors shifting their responsibilities to the federal government, Obi promised that under Akpata’s leadership, Edo State would not follow that same pattern. He assured voters that Olumide Akpata and his running mate, Yusuf Kadiri, would be committed to addressing the issues that affect everyday citizens rather than relying on federal intervention.
A Rallying Call to Voters
Peter Obi encouraged the people of Edo to come out in large numbers on September 21 and cast their votes for Akpata. He reminded them of the critical importance of their participation in determining the future of the state and emphasized the power of collective action in securing the success of a democratic process.
Joining Obi at the rally was his 2023 presidential running mate, Prof. Datti Baba-Ahmed, who echoed the call for Labour Party supporters to leverage their numerical strength to secure victory for their candidate. Baba-Ahmed urged voters to recognize the opportunity at hand to bring about much-needed change by ensuring that Akpata is elected as governor.
As the gubernatorial election draws closer, Obi's message resonated with the crowd, further energizing the Labour Party’s supporters. With a firm commitment to ending electoral malpractice, Obi has signaled that this election will be a test of the strength and resolve of the Nigerian democratic process.
0 Comments