LP Harps On Electoral Reforms To Deepen Democracy

By Georgina Humphrey

National Chairman of the Labour Party, Julius Abure says the party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi and Enugu state governorship candidate, Chijioke Edeoga, are the main casualties of Nigeria’s flawed Electoral Act.

This is contained in a statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Obiora Ifoh, in Abuja.

The statement says, Edeoga contested but was rigged out in the March 18th 2023 Enugu governorship election.

According to him, “The electoral brigandage and vote rigging are the most dangerous things that can happen in a democracy. Because the people who vote are voting on the basis of their prayers, based on their frustrations, based on their expectations but as soon as they cast their votes, the votes disappeared”.

“So anything we can do to protect the sanctity of votes, we should do it. The votes means someone’s approval for a candidate. It is more than a physical act. It is not just a symbolic act, it has a spiritual dimension”.

“After the Supreme Court judgement, many people have not come to terms with it. A lot of people are facing one ill health or the other”.

“The judgement threw Enugu into a mourning condition. I have not come to terms with it and I will never come to terms with it. But I have to come here to tell you that the ticket you gave me, I did not play with it, I did not trade with it, I did not bargain with it. I knew that my people entrusted their mandate to me but it was not my fault, I tried my best. I came to say thank you. I came to say, I am here send me to continue the work of national redemption.”

Also the Labour party National Chairman, Julius Abure who says the party was robbed in the last election appointed Edeoga to be part of the electoral reforms committee.

“And as I speak with you, we are already constituting the committee that will give us the framework for the review. We also decided that Labour Party will not be a spectator and that we will be the drivers of that process”.

According to Abure the only people that can pursue electoral reforms are those who are victims of the process.

“I have made it clear that the major victim of the 2023 general election is the Labour Party. And therefore we cannot be seen to take back seat in the pursuit of electoral reforms in defence of our votes. And since you are a major victim, after Peter Obi of electoral fraud in Nigeria, you will be in the best position to help the party and the Nigerian people generally to resolve this crisis in our hand,” he adds.

Edited By Grace Namiji