Candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the September 21 governorship election in Edo State, Bar. Olumide Akpata, has said the election was sold to the highest bidder.
Akpata said this in reaction to the declaration of Senator Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress as the winner.
“We remain steadfast in our commitment to building a democracy that works for all, not just the highest bidder. We continue to envision an Edo State, and a Nigeria, where ideas triumph over Naira, where the collective will of the people shapes our future”.
Akpata advocated a comprehensive electoral reform by leverage technology to create fool proof systems that make vote buying not just difficult, but impossible.
“We must also address the root causes that make our people susceptible to vote-selling by creating economic opportunities, improving education, and building a society where citizens do not feel compelled to mortgage their future for immediate gains.
Akpata lamented that Edo 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.
While condemning those who engage in vote buying, he noted that the actions have directly contributed to the destruction of the State’s economy over the past 25 years, creating the enabling environment democratic sacrilege to thrive.
He said the Labour Party remained faithful to its belief in the sanctity of the ballot and the inalienable right of the people to freely choose their leaders without coercion or inducement.
Recall that the LP’s candidate, Bar. Olumide Akpata, came distance third with 22,763 votes.
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