In a strong rebuke of Nigeria’s flawed Electoral Act, the National Chairman of the Labour Party, Barrister Julius Abure, singled out the party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, and Enugu state governorship candidate, Chijioke Edeoga, as the primary casualties of the flawed electoral process. Abure made these remarks during a meeting with Edeoga at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja on Wednesday.
Abure went on to announce Edeoga’s appointment to a committee tasked with working towards the reformation of Nigeria’s electoral act. He expressed deep concern over what he deemed as a rigged election, asserting that the Labour Party had been deprived of victory through collusion involving INEC officials and the PDP government in Enugu state.
“It is very clear that they robbed us of that election,” declared Abure, emphasizing that the party had decided to actively pursue electoral reforms since the previous year. He highlighted the need for early engagement in the reform process, stating, “Labour Party will not be a spectator and that we will be the drivers of that process.”
Arguing that only victims of the electoral process could effectively pursue reforms, Abure asserted, “I have made it clear that the major victim of the 2023 general election is the Labour Party.” He emphasized the party’s commitment to not taking a back seat in the pursuit of electoral reform, urging Edeoga to play a crucial role in resolving the crisis.
In response, Chijioke Edeoga, who was visiting the party’s national headquarters on a ‘Thank You’ visit, provided an account of how he contested and was allegedly rigged out in the March 18th, 2023 election. He expressed disbelief at the final judgment against him, despite what he claimed were clear evidences supporting his victory. Edeoga pleaded with the Labour Party to actively support electoral act reform, emphasizing the importance of protecting the sanctity of votes in a democracy.
Edeoga remarked, “The electoral brigandage and vote rigging are the most dangerous things that can happen in a democracy,” and highlighted the emotional toll of the Supreme Court judgment on the people of Enugu. Despite the challenges, he affirmed his dedication to the mandate entrusted to him and expressed gratitude to the party for the support received.
