Newscenter Media News The Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), has condemned the Edo State governorship election held last Saturday, describing it as a nightmare that undermines Nigeria’s democracy.
The opposition party, in a statement signed by its Acting National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Muhammed Ishaq, said it was deeply concerned and worried about events that led up to the election and the eventual outcome which it said was a dent on Nigeria’s democratic process.
“The Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) is deeply concerned and dismayed by the events that unfolded during the recent off-cycle election in Edo State,” the statement reads.
“Despite the high hopes and expectations of Nigerians for a free and fair exercise of their franchise, the election turned out to be a nightmare, a stark reminder of the deep-seated problems plaguing our electoral system.
“The PRP notes with regret that despite the significant resources invested in this election, it only served to further erode the confidence of the electorates in our democratic process. The blatant abuse of processes, laws, and dehumanization of citizens are all stark indicators of the need for urgent electoral reforms.
“The PRP believes that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) must be unbundled and an Electoral Offences Commission with full prosecutorial powers must be established to ensure that electoral malpractices are put to a stop.
“We cannot continue to tolerate the shenanigans that characterized the Edo election, which undermine our democracy and deny citizens their right to free, fair and credible elections.
“While we commend the overall peacefulness of the election, we must also acknowledge that this peace was achieved at the cost of people’s liberties.
“The heavy security presence was a conspicuous reminder of the fear and intimidation that many citizens experienced during the elections. We desire a situation where elections can be conducted with minimal security presence, allowing citizens to exercise their franchise without fear or intimidation.
“The abysmally low turnout of 20% of registered voters, out of over 2.6 million collected PVCs, is an outright indictment of the electoral system. It is a clear indication of widespread discontent and distrust in the efficiency of our democratic processes.
“In conclusion, while we wish to remain guided by our patriotism and optimism, we must admit that the events that unfolded in Edo State continue to erode our hopes for a better future. We call on all stakeholders, particularly INEC and the government, to take immediate action to address these issues and restore faith in our democratic process.”
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