Today’s local government elections in Ogun State have not just been marred by irregularities—they represent a blatant assault on democracy.
What transpired was not an election conducted by the Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC), but a premeditated operation orchestrated by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to rob the people of their mandate.
The shambolic display today witnessed today should not be described as an election but a state-sanctioned coup and a travesty.
The Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission has bungled its last chance of credibility and trust with the travesty on display today.
OGSIEC in collusion with the APC openly perpetrated a criminal and systemic disenfranchisement of citizens of Abeokuta South and Ogun State at large.
How else would one describe the bare-faced and blatant refusal to send electoral officers and materials to multiple polling units in Abeokuta South Local Government Area?
The few places where elections were held were characterised by harrassment, voter intimidation and large-scale fraud.
A typical example is how thugs harrassed and assaulted party agents, voters, independent observers and journalists at St Joseph Primary School, Isabo (Ward 11, Unit 13 and 14). It’s saddening that the school was converted to a crime scene for stuffing of ballot boxes, supervised by aides of elected officials acting on the instruction of their principals.
Multiple evidence abounds of similar acts across the 15 wards of Abeokuta South Local Government, where the actions of those who claim to be political leaders were nothing short of disgraceful.
Open fraud was perpetrated in full view of the public, a shameful display of impunity that undermines the integrity of our democratic system. This was not rigging; it was armed robbery of the people’s trust and hopes for a fair process.
I hereby reject outrightly the electoral process today and call on the entire citizenry to speak in one voice against this subversion of common will.
As citizens, we must demand accountability and transparency from those entrusted with leadership. The events of this election are a wake-up call to all who value justice and the rule of law.
Ogun State deserves better. Democracy deserves better.
