The recent council elections in Kaduna State, Nigeria, have been met with widespread outrage after the Labour Party (LP) alleged that the Kaduna State Independent Electoral Commission (SIECOM) compromised the democratic process. According to the LP, the October 19 elections were an “outright betrayal and murder of the democratic principles” that Nigerians have known for 25 years of democracy in the country.
Elder Yusuf Solomon Danbaki, Chairman of the Kaduna State Labour Party Caretaker Committee, expressed his dismay in a statement on Sunday, stating that the nation has strived to build a democracy that reflects the will of the people. However, the recent elections fell short of expectations, with essential materials like ballot boxes, result sheets, and ad hoc staff missing in numerous polling units.
Danbaki accused SIECOM of disregarding the voices and votes of thousands of residents who came out to exercise their civic duty. Instead of facilitating a transparent voting process, SIECOM chose to announce results from an undisclosed location, disregarding the voices and votes of countless citizens who remained at polling units demanding that their votes be counted.
The Labour Party Chairman described the entire exercise as a blatant manipulation that undermined the very essence of democracy. He stated that the actions taken by SIECOM have shattered any remaining confidence that citizens may have had in the electoral process, leading to an “erosion of trust.” When people feel that their votes do not matter, they become disillusioned and disengaged from civic participation.
According to Danbaki, if such blatant electoral fraud goes unchallenged, it sets a dangerous precedent for future elections not just in Kaduna State but across Nigeria. He warned that Nigerians risk normalizing corruption and manipulation as standard practices in the political landscape.
The LP Chairman added that the warning signs were evident long before the council election, as political analysts had raised concerns about statements made by previous leaders indicating a willingness to disregard democratic principles for personal gain. He also pointed out that the financial autonomy granted to local governments has led to desperation among governors to manipulate elections in favor of their parties at all costs.
Danbaki emphasized that the moral implications of this electoral fraud cannot be overstated. He stated that the actions taken by those in power reflect a disturbing trend where personal ambition supersedes ethical considerations. He asked, “How can we expect future generations to uphold moral standards when those in leadership positions engage in such dishonorable conduct?”
The Labour Party Chairman called on individuals involved in the electoral fraud to acknowledge their wrongdoing and take steps to rectify it by resigning from their appointments or declining to be sworn into an office that the election did not hold. He emphasized that those who hold positions of authority must recognize that their actions have consequences, not just for themselves but for society as a whole.
The LP’s allegations of electoral fraud in the Kaduna State council elections have sparked concerns about the integrity of Nigeria’s democratic process. As the country continues to navigate its democratic journey, it is essential that all stakeholders work towards ensuring free, fair, and transparent elections that reflect the will of the people.
