The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has released a detailed analysis of the 2023 presidential election, focusing on the voting patterns and irregularities in various regions. According to the report, the election results in some areas, particularly in the South-East, showed a high anomaly rate, with 24.9% of polling units in Anambra State and 16.7% in Enugu State exhibiting multiple fraud indicators.

In contrast, states like Lagos and Oyo recorded significantly lower anomaly rates, at 2.3% and 0.3%, respectively. The report highlights that these discrepancies are not trivial, given the margin of victory in the election, and that they are electorally consequential. The APC spokesperson, Seye Oladejo, noted that while Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, enjoyed genuine popularity in the South-East, the report exposes the reality of subtle electoral manipulation in areas with hegemonic popularity.

The analysis reveals that Obi secured only 29.1% of the total votes cast nationwide, placing third overall behind the APC and PDP. Outside the South-East, his performance was weak, with the report attributing his defeat to electoral arithmetic, national spread requirements, and competitive politics, rather than conspiracy. The Lagos State APC welcomes further independent audits and stronger technological safeguards to ensure the integrity of future elections.

The report’s findings have significant implications for Nigeria’s democracy, as they highlight the need for transparency and accountability in the electoral process. By examining the data and statistical trends, the report provides a factual explanation for the paradox of Obi’s dominance in the South-East and his poor performance in other regions. The APC’s call for further audits and safeguards aims to restore honesty to the debate and ensure that democracy is served by truth, rather than mythology or misinformation.