The Labour Party (LP) has described the October 19 council elections in Kaduna State as an “outright betrayal and murder of the democratic principles” Nigerians have known for 25 years of democracy in the country.
The Chairman of the Kaduna State Labour Party Caretaker Committee, Elder Yusuf Solomon Danbaki, in a statement on Sunday noted, “Our nation has strived to build a democracy that reflects the will of the people.
“On Saturday, thousands of residents came out en masse to exercise their civic duty, believing in the integrity of our electoral process. However, what unfolded was nothing short of an electoral charade.
“Essential materials required for a fair election, including ballot boxes, result sheets, and ad hoc staff, were conspicuously absent in numerous polling units across the state.”
Danbaki explained that instead of facilitating a transparent voting process, the Kaduna State Independent Electoral Commission (SIECOM) chose to announce results from an undisclosed location, disregarding the voices and votes of countless citizens who remained at polling units demanding that their votes be counted, saying that it is not just an oversight; it is a calculated act of electoral fraud that undermines the very essence of democracy.
He described the entire exercise as a blatant manipulation that is not merely a disappointment but represents a severe betrayal of public trust and an affront to every citizen who believes in democratic governance.
The party state chairman said that Saturday’s exercise was an “erosion of trust,” stating that the actions taken by SIECOM have shattered any remaining confidence that citizens may have had in the electoral process.
When people feel that their votes do not matter, they become disillusioned and disengaged from civic participation.
According to him, if such blatant electoral fraud goes unchallenged, it sets a dangerous precedent for future elections, not just in Kaduna State but across Nigeria, stressing that Nigerians risk normalizing corruption and manipulation as standard practices in the political landscape.
He added, “This incident represents one of the most significant threats to our democracy in decades. If we allow this level of misconduct to persist, we are paving the way for further erosion of democratic values and institutions.”
Danbaki opined that the warning signs were evident long before the council election, as political analysts had raised concerns about statements made by previous leaders indicating a willingness to disregard democratic principles for personal gain, pointing out that the financial autonomy granted to local governments has led to desperation among governors to manipulate elections in favor of their parties at all costs.
He said, “Our party has consistently protested against these injustices, but our cries fell on deaf ears. The appointment of an inexperienced chairperson for SIECOM was met with resistance, yet we were ignored.
“The introduction of exorbitant fees for candidacy during a period marked by economic hardship further disenfranchised many potential candidates.”
He stated that the moral implications of this electoral fraud cannot be overstated, adding that as they witnessed the troubling developments, they must reflect on what they say about their society’s values, as the actions taken by those in power reflect a disturbing trend where personal ambition supersedes ethical considerations.
“How can we expect future generations to uphold moral standards when those in leadership positions engage in such dishonorable conduct?” he asked.
He added that it is disheartening to consider how parents who demand honesty from their children to avoid academic examination malpractice can themselves participate in electoral malpractice, saying that the hypocrisy erodes societal morals and sets a poor example for future leaders.
According to him, “Those who hold positions of authority must recognize that their actions have consequences, not just for themselves but for society as a whole.
“It is imperative that individuals involved in this electoral fraud acknowledge their wrongdoing and take steps to rectify it by resigning from their appointments or declining to be sworn into an office that the election didn’t hold.”
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