The eventual winner was Okpebholo, whose victory has been marred by allegations of vote-buying and manipulation, casting a shadow over the integrity of the election.
This election has, however, raised a series of questions about how much or how deeply Nigeria has enjoyed or gained true democracy, where the people can seamlessly vote and be voted for.
As different voices speak about the Edo 2024 election, the United Kingdom, through its Bitsh High Commission in Nigeria, told Nigerians that the election was peaceful, yet advising the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to address all concerns.
In an exclusive interview with TimesNow.com.ng, Barr. Hassan Dotun, the President of Yorubal Council Worldwide, said the ingenuity of this statement by the UK points out that the election lucidly projected political infighting and personal attacks between party leaders fueled accusations of vendetta, further complicating the election’s outcome.
Dotun, weighing in on the controversy surrounding the electoral process, called it a “war of vendetta” and a reflection of the more significant issues plaguing Nigerian politics.
He said:
Dotun noted that the Edo election mirrored the recurrent issues across Nigeria, where elections have become an arena for personal grudges rather than democratic processes.
Dotun was critical of the lack of political ideology, stating that Nigerian politicians are increasingly driven by self-interest, citing instances where political leaders attacked one another’s families and personal lives in public forums.
He said:
He referred to comments made by former Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole, which he described as indicating how far political morality has declined.
He also pointed out the shifting allegiances within the political arena, where politicians frequently switch parties for personal gain, further eroding the public’s trust.
Dotun highlighted the case of the Edo State Governor, who was adopted by the PDP after leaving the APC, only for his deputy to return to the APC during the election.
He said:
Dotun also criticized the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for failing to fulfil its role as an impartial umpire in the electoral process.
He argued that INEC’s lack of independence, due to the president’s role in appointing its chairman, has compromised the electoral body’s ability to conduct free and fair elections.
He asserted:
He called for a reform of the system, suggesting that INEC officials should be selected from a pool of retired judges or individuals of high integrity, not just university professors.
Dotun issued a stark warning about the future of Nigerian elections, predicting that the flaws seen in Edo could be a precursor to what will happen in the 2027 general elections if significant reforms are not made.
He said:
