That’s a powerful statement by Dr. Moses Paul. It underscores a core principle of democracy: elections should be about the collective choice and welfare of the people rather than serving the ambitions of political elites. When politicians view elections as tools for personal gain, it can lead to policies that don’t genuinely address the needs of the public and foster a lack of trust in governance.
Elections are meant to reflect the will of the people, not the ambitions of politicians. With the introduction of the IREV and a staggering expenditure of over #500 billion naira since 2023 for elections in Nigeria (spanning government budgets, sponsorships, and international donations), the outcomes have fallen painfully short, failing to uphold the people’s mandate.
After 24 years of democracy, Nigeria has plunged into a disturbing decline. What once involved isolated acts of vote-rigging and ballot snatching has now transformed into something more sinister: systemic, institutionalized rigging. Over-voting, ballot theft, vote-buying, and thuggery have escalated into a deeper betrayal—where the institution entrusted to guard our democracy has become complicit in subverting it. This represents an alarming failure, a mockery of public trust, and a crisis that calls for immediate action and unyielding outrage from every Nigerian who values the sanctity of our vote.
The recent election in Edo State, South-South Nigeria, has painfully reopened the wounds inflicted by the 2023 elections—a brutal reminder of rampant rigging, violent thuggery, and entrenched malpractice seemingly sanctioned by INEC and its officials.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) holds a sacred responsibility: to conduct elections that genuinely mirror the people’s will. Yet, INEC appears to have betrayed this duty, squandering billions of taxpayers’ money to subvert democracy and prioritize political interests over public voices. This disgraceful regression calls for every Nigerian who believes in justice and progress to rise up and demand accountability. Imagine participating in an election where the outcome has already been decided—by the very institution meant to ensure fairness. The line between a nation’s success and failure lies in the integrity of its leaders. We cannot allow anyone to rob us of our right to choose.
-DrMo
In Nigeria’s context, where there’s been growing public scrutiny of electoral processes, statements like this remind both leaders and citizens about the importance of a transparent and accountable system that genuinely represents the people’s will.
