Barr. Olumide Osaigbovo Akpata, the Labour Party, LP, governorship candidate in the just concluded Edo State gubernatorial election has declared that his party lost the last Saturday election to the power of money bags.
According to Akpata, the labour party lost last Saturday election not because I was not popular as a candidate of the party or the party was not popular, our party bowed to the power of money.
Briefing newsmen in Benin on the outcome of Saturday’s governorship election, Akpata who titled his speech “Unbowed, Unbent, And Unbroken: A Statement On The 2024 Edo State Gubernatorial Election Results” lamented the widespread vote-buying scheme by both the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“The two parties turned the Edo election into an open bidding where votes were being sold and bought at negotiated prices.
“This was attested to by YIAGA Africa, a leading civil society organisation and domestic observer group, our sacred electoral process was reduced to a commodities market—a bidding war for votes. This practice, no less damaging than outright ballot stuffing, has effectively disenfranchised the people of Edo State.
“Let us be clear: what transpired on 21 September 2024 was not an election but a transaction. It was enabled by those who chose to stay away, making it easier for the two dominant parties to afford a significant majority of the few votes on offer, and by those who came out and willingly sold their votes.
“To those who sold their votes: We extend our understanding, not
condemnation. We acknowledge the crushing economic hardships that many of you face, daily—hardships that make the immediate relief of vote-selling seem like a lifeline. Yet, this short-term gain comes at an immense long-
term cost.
“We implored you to reflect deeply on the consequences of your actions, to recognise that your vote is the legacy you bequeath to future generations. In the end, it became painfully clear that we did not have the people, as many—including some Labour Party faithfuls and agents—willingly sold their future for peanuts to the very political parties whose actions and policies have impoverished them.
“Now, we have unwittingly instituted a collegiate system of government comprising godfathers, surrogate Governors, and other forces within and outside the State who hope to puppeteer the Governor-elect. The implications of this for Edo State’s development are dire.
“We face the prospect of continued underdevelopment, misallocation of resources, and governance that serves the interests of a few rather than the needs of the many. We must now live with these consequences for years to come.
Our campaign steadfastly refused to engage in this cash-and-carry approach” he said..
The former president of the Nigeria Bar Association(NBA) also pointed out that his party did not budget to compete with the two political parties whose Governors perhaps may have dipped their hands into their States’ treasuries to provide the war chest for this show of shame, adding, “Even if we had the resources, we lacked the inclination to participate in such a perversion of democracy”
“Nothing illustrates this principle more clearly than the loss of my own polling unit. If I were so inclined, I could have easily mustered enough cash to secure enough votes to win my polling unit.
“But that is not the path we chose. Instead, we remained faithful to our belief in the sanctity of the ballot and the inalienable right of our people to freely choose their leaders without coercion or inducement.
“This was not political naivety, but a testament to our unwavering commitment to true democracy—where a vote’s value lies in its power to effect change, not in the amount of Naira it can command”
Speaking further, Akpata said, “Throughout this electoral process, I have consistently emphasised that I am not one to complain idly. My approach has always been to seek solutions, and that remains my intention now. However, we cannot address our challenges without first acknowledging them frankly and thoroughly”
“While preparing for this election, we harboured grave concerns about the integrity of the process. We anticipated that powerful forces would attempt to skew the outcome in their favour, regardless of the will of the people.
Regrettably, these fears have materialized. Yet, we must also confront an uncomfortable truth: the outcome was enabled not just by those who sought to manipulate the process, but also by the actions—and inactions—of a significant portion of our electorate.
“Although the election was largely free from historical forms of election-day malpractice such as ballot box snatching and stuffing, it was nevertheless marred by voter intimidation and the falsification of results.
“More insidiously, we witnessed one of the lowest voter turnouts in recent years, a testament to the apathy that has gripped our populace. This disengagement ultimately contributed to the worst-case scenario we now face.
To those who defied the odds, came out to vote, and stayed to ensure their votes were counted.
“I commend your courage and commitment to our democracy. You are the true heroes of this election.
However, a troubling theme emerged as the day unfolded: a widespread vote-buying scheme by both the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP).