Former Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) Peter Obi has said Nigeria should imitate the just concluded general election in South Africa, which he stated, was “a shining example of what a transparent and efficient democratic electoral process should look like.”
Obi in a statement on his X platform on Saturday, noted that with about 60 per cent voter turnout, over 90 per cent of polling open on time, as well as diaspora voting, the results and updates were real-time without any form of technical glitches during the election.
This, he explained, was a demonstration of the robustness and transparency of their system.
Obi said, “The seamless online dissemination of results further highlights their commitment to democratic principles and technological advancement.”
He said this was a contrast to Nigeria’s 2023 election, which he described as a “show of shame that the giant of Africa, Nigeria, gave the world in 2023.”
According to him, “Nigeria’s 2023, with less than 30 per cent of the voter turnout and over 60 per cent of the polling stations starting late, no diaspora voting, the elections were plagued by allegations of fraud and widespread irregularities, all forms of glitches, despite an enormous expenditure to the tune of about a billion dollars (direct allocation of N313 billion and donor agencies supports).
He observed that the process of the 2023 general was widely discredited, stating that “The differences between the two countries’ electoral processes are both stark and lamentable.
“South Africa’s Election Results Center, with its state-of-the-art electronic board, showcased results with unparalleled precision and speed.”
Obi said Nigeria’s electoral process was mired in controversy and lacked transparency, adding that “This glaring juxtaposition is a painful reminder of our country’s ongoing struggles with democratic governance.
“It underscores the urgent need for comprehensive electoral reforms to ensure that our elections are free, fair, and credible.
“We must learn from South Africa’s example and strive to build a system that restores the people’s faith in our democracy.
“The time for action is now, and we cannot afford to delay any longer in addressing these critical issues for a new Nigeria is POssible!”
