Politics
Ncfront Third Force Movement decries vote buying in Ekiti Elections
**urges INEC not to disenfranchise voters
The National Consultative Front, NCFront, promoters of the Third Force Movement has condemned in strong terms the high level of vote buying and cash inducement which characterized the seemingly peaceul and fairly well coordinated Ekiti State elections.
There were widely reported cases of agents of the three major political parties that participated in the Saturday 18th June 2022 Gubernatorial election in Ekiti, namely APC, PDP and SDP, unashamedly and openly engaging in vote buying and cash inducement of voters and security operatives without fear or regard for possible sanctions.
The political movement is demanding a proper investigation of reported cases of this malfeasance while calling for adequate sanctions to curb the ugly trend.
A statement issued by Ncfront Spokesperson
Dr Yunusa Tanko said the group which held its Strategic Review Meeting of key Leaders and Stakeholders of the Movement on Tuesday, 21st June 2022 at the Centre for Values in Leadership (CVL), Victoria Island, Lagos warned that vote buying could ultimately mar the outcomes of the 2023 general elections despite commendable improvements in the electoral process hitherto achieved by INEC.
The meeting which was both virtual and physical, was chaired by the National Leader of NCFront, Prof Pat Utomi and attended by the National Secretary, Mr. Wale Okunniyi; the Southwest Chairman – Mr. Lanre Adenuga, the Lagos State Chairman – Mr. Adeniji Adegboyega and many other eminent personalities
Others included Mr. Akin Braithwaite, Mr. Kunle Olatunji, Pastor Funke Awolowo, Mrs. Ifeka Ebere, etc.
The group called on INEC to pay urgent attention to and decisively take steps to ensure that vote buyers and sellers as well as those who sponsor and enable them are arrested and promptly prosecuted.
“It is worrisome that in spite of widespread reports and criticisms against vote buying and monetary inducement of voters and security personnel in previous election, INEC has not taken any notable bold steps to bring offenders to justice.
“Such attitude could be misinterpreted as acceptance, collaboration or helplessness on the part of INEC if not confronted urgently and drastically.
Among other measures, NCFront Third Force Movement suggested the deployment of intelligence enabled technology, training of electoral and security personnel and other reliable evidence gathering methods in order to bring an end to this dangerous trend. “Vote buying and electoral bribery rob the electorate of the chance to select right leaders and give undue advantage to those who have looted our treasuries and held the nation corruptively captive.
“The group also expressed concern over the pains and challenges being experienced by huge crowds of enthusiastic and patriotic adult citizens who are daily trooping out to INEC offices to get registered for their Permanent Voter’s Cards.
“While it sees the massive turn out of these Nigerians as encouraging, it questioned the inadequate deployment of registering machines and personnel to locations close to the people and particularly on work free days for convenience.”
INEC should take advantage of the opportunity of offers of accommodation and financial support by public spirited Nigerians to ensure all eligible voters are registered and given their PVC.lIf 2023 elections would be free, fair, transparent, credible and a true reflection of the will of the Nigerian people. “INEC must leave no stone unturned in registering voters and delivering their PVCs to them. The meeting frowned at past experience where INEC claimed to have had in its warehouses, but in wrong places, millions of uncollected voter’s cards, thereby depriving millions of eligible voters the opportunity to vote because their cards were not found in the rightfully designated collection centres.
NCFront plans to publish a website where Nigerians who have registered for PVC but could not collect their cards would register and interact with INEC officials until they receive them. The websites would be accessible to the voting public, INEC and all electoral process monitoring teams. The group says it must not be business as usual where INEC gives the government and people an impression that all is well whereas millions of interested voters are disenfranchised, frustrated and denied their right to vote.The Third Force Movement also resolved to strengthen its working relationship with Leaders of the Labour Party, the Nigeria Labour Congress, the Trade Union Congress, the Peter Obi Campaign Organisation and other Stakeholders. Furthermore, he said, NCFront is determined to see through to fruition ongoing alliance talks with formidable political parties and movements in order to achieve its primary objective of rescuing Nigeria from those who have held it captive in the last 23 years with deception, political bigotry, cluelessness and arrogance.
“We must take back Nigeria and place it on the path of genuine peace, unity, progress and development wrapped in equity.
The Leadership of NCFront Third Force urged its members worldwide to remain steadfast and work hard for the success of its adopted Mega Party, the Labour Party, not only for the success of HE Mr. Peter Obi in the presidential elections but also work massively for the success of the party at the gubernatorial, senatorial, federal house of representatives and state houses of Assembly elections.
Senate minority Leader and key member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) caucus, Senator Abba Moro, has reiterated the party’s commitment to restructuring and regaining its electoral strength.
Speaking after the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Assembly caucus meeting on Wednesday, Moro addressed concerns about the party’s recent setbacks and ongoing efforts to prepare for future electoral challenges.
Moro emphasized that the PDP remains resilient despite recent losses, including gubernatorial elections, and is strategizing to strengthen the party.
“We discussed the affairs of the party, particularly as we approach a critical meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC)to take vital decisions on the state of the PDP,” Moro said.
“We are intensifying efforts to ensure the party grows stronger and prepares for subsequent elections without distractions.”
Addressing allegations of vote buying in recent elections, Moro expressed concern over the state of Nigeria’s democracy and the conduct of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“Everyone is worried about Nigeria’s democracy,” he said. “INEC has faced criticism, but every failure is a lesson. We must ensure that mandates stolen from the people, like in Edo State, are restored. Failure should become a mechanism for future success.”
Responding to criticisms of PDP’s Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagun, Moro dismissed claims that his leadership has been detrimental to the party.
“The PDP is not just about one individual,” he stated. “Damagun is the acting chairman, but PDP is about all its members. We are working round the clock to return the PDP to its winning ways.”
He also downplayed the influence of PDP members like FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, who has been associated with the APC.
Moro likened such political dynamics to bipartisan endorsements seen in the United States, emphasizing that PDP remains focused on rebuilding.
“Anyone working against the PDP today will have to contend with the resilience of PDP members,” he warned.
Highlighting the party’s long-standing reputation, Moro described the PDP as a resilient brand that has always bounced back from challenges.
“PDP is a brand,” he declared. “Despite temporary setbacks, we will bounce back. Once our electoral laws are strengthened, future election results will not be the same.”
When asked who should be blamed for the party’s challenges, Moro refrained from finger-pointing, stating:
“The most important thing is that something is not right. We are working to fix it, and we will get it right.”
The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment from the PDP Senate caucus to revitalize the party and ensure better outcomes in upcoming elections.
***Describes Process as “Victimless Crime” in Scathing Critique
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Prince Adewole Adebayo, has issued a critical assessment of the recent Ondo State Governorship Election, labeling it an “Ondo Auction.”
Adebayo argued that the election was less about genuine democracy and more about transactional politics, with “willing buyers” and “willing sellers” dominating the process.
Taking to his X account, Adebayo suggested that the Ondo election could serve as a case study for the Central Bank’s foreign exchange practices, given the efficient “marketplace” nature of the vote.
He lamented what he saw as a lack of authentic voter engagement, claiming that ballots appeared to be traded as commodities rather than cast with genuine intent.
Adebayo extended his criticism to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the police, and major media outlets, whom he accused of watching passively as the alleged auction unfolded.
Offering sarcastic congratulations to those who “purchased” the victory, he sympathized with voters, whom he felt had unknowingly relinquished their democratic power in a flawed process.
Quoting a biblical phrase, “Father Forgive Them For They Know Not What They Do,” Adebayo expressed sadness over the state of democracy in Ondo and called for divine intervention to steer Nigeria towards a more transparent electoral future.
In his post, Adebayo remarked: “The Ondo State Governorship Election of yesterday is what criminologists would term as victim-less crimes: a spectacle of willing buyers @OfficialAPCNg meeting willing sellers in a perfect market that should be an example for @cenbank in the foreign exchange markets. Ondo Auction is smoother than the Dutch Auction. Four years sold so freely and openly that no one should lie that they were coerced or intimidated or browbeaten. And @PoliceNG and @inecnigeria @AIT_Online @ARISEtv @KAFTAN_TV @channelstv @NTANewsNow all witnessed it live.
“No one should pretend that they need someone to interview over this. It is in order to congratulate the buyers on their purchased ‘victory’ while shedding some tears for the sellers with the Calvary elegy that ‘Father Forgive Them For They Knoweth Not What They Do.’ God Bless Nigeria and may God Guide Ondo State.”
Adebayo’s post has since sparked conversation across the country, with calls for reform and a stronger commitment to electoral integrity in Nigeria.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the reinstatement of Olorunfemi Ayodele Festus as the Labour Party (LP) candidate for the Ondo State governorship election, replacing Olusola Ebiseni just hours before the vote.
The decision followed a Court of Appeal ruling which overturned an earlier Federal High Court judgment that had named Ebiseni as the party’s candidate.
In an official statement shared on its X handle, INEC confirmed receiving the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the appellate court’s judgment.
INEC’s statement explained that the Federal High Court in Abuja had initially directed the Commission on September 27, 2024, to recognize Ebiseni as LP’s candidate, but the Court of Appeal nullified this decision, citing jurisdictional issues.
In compliance with the appellate court’s ruling, INEC restored Festus’s candidacy, adding his name to their website as the official Labour Party nominee for the 2024 Ondo State Governorship election.
This unexpected development introduces a last-minute shift for the Labour Party, which has been actively preparing for a competitive election.
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