- Safiu Kehinde
Laments over Vote Buying
Labour Party’s Edo state governorship candidate, Olumide Akpata, has lamented over the spate of vote buying at the just concluded election.
This was contained in a statement issued by the LP candidate on Monday.
Reacting to the conduct of the election which was won by the All Progressive Congress’ candidate, Monday Okpebholo, Akpata said he had no intention of complaining.
However, he expressed concern over the rate of vote buying observed during the election.
While refusing to condemn the voters who sold their votes, he however charged them to reflect on the future consequences of their actions.
Meanwhile, he shifted the blame on APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for indulging in vote buying.
“Let us be clear, what transpired 21 September 2024 was not an election but a transaction. It was enabled by those who chose to stay away, making it easier for the two dominant parties to afford a significant majority of the votes offer by who came and sold their votes.
“To those who sold their votes, we extend our understanding, not conservation. We acknowledge the crushing economic hardship that many of you face daily- hardships that make the immediate relief of vote-selling seem like a lifeline.
“Yet, this short-term gain comes at an immense long-term cost. We implored you to reflect deeply on the consequences of your actions, to recognize that your vote is the legacy you bequeath to future generations.
“In the end, it became painfully clear that we did not have people as many – including some Labour Party faithfuls and agents sold their future for peanuts to the very political parties whose actions and policies have impoverished them.
“We reserve our strongest condemnation for those who engaged in vote-buying: the APC and PDP Their actions have directly contributed to the destruction of our State’s economy over the past 25 years, creating the enabling environment for this democratic sacrilege to thrive.” Akpata wrote.
The former NBA President further trolled the PDP, noting that he had no sympathy for their cry as they allegedly contributed to the manipulation of the democratic process while accusing the APC for betraying the trust of the people.
“This election has laid down the stark reality that our political landscape is dominated not by ideologies or the people’s will, but by those with the deepest pockets and the roost extensive of influence.
“I hold no sympathy for the PDP who now cry foul after being in this macabre game of thrones. They willingly participated in the bidding war with the APC, fury aware of the rules from the outset Their lamentation rings in the face of their complicity in this democratic travesty.
“As for the APC and the actions have undermined the democratic process betrayed the trust of the very people they seek to lead, and eroded faith in our democratic institutions.
This is the legacy that will overshadow their ill-gotten mandate, Their “grab, snatch, and run” playbook is like riding on the back of a tiger. It will ultimately be the source of their undoing.
As we stand at this critical juncture in our State’s history, we must ask ourselves is this the democracy we envisioned? is this the legacy we wish to leave for our children? A system where the size of one’s purse determines the weight of one’s voice is not a democracy but a plutocracy in disguise.” Akpata added.