From Okwe Obi
The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) has criticised the the just concluded Ondo State governorship poll that was won by the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
Lead, CDD-EAC and Observer Mission, Professor Victor Adetula, and Director, CDD West Africa, Dr. Dauda Garuba, said in a statement that there were discrepancies in the registered voters in seven of the 18 Local Government Area Areas.
They told the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to explain these discrepancies and assure Nigerians about the sacrosanct nature of election-related data.
Adetula said: “However, comparing data on registered voters published by INEC before the election and those declared by returning officers during result collation, CDD-EAC observed discrepancies in seven of the 18 LGAs in the state.
“The table below presents the different numbers and the differences.
“While we note that the margins would not have affected the overall result, election-related details and data must be beyond scrutiny and not subject to arbitrary changes.
“We recommend that INEC explain these discrepancies and assure Nigerians about the sacrosanct nature of election-related data.”
He tasked political stakeholders to uphold peace, respect the rule of law, and follow due process in resolving any possible post-election disputes.
“Given the large-scale vote buying witnessed in the election, the CDD-EAC believes now is the time for proactive and tough measures to confront the anomaly of political actors commodifying votes and making the democratic process a transactional affair.
“To this end, the CDD-EAC calls for a speedy and transparent trial of perpetrators caught trying to compromise the sanctity of the electoral process by offering cash for votes.
“Although compared to Edo, the incidence of peddling false narratives with the intent of deceiving voters was less prevalent in the Ondo governorship polls, the need for media and digital literacy efforts remains critical.
“The CDD-EAC, therefore, emphasises the importance of strengthening fact-checking initiatives to counter disinformation.
“These initiatives should now focus on fostering collaboration at the subnational and national levels to effectively counter any post-election misinformation or disinformation.
“Finally, as INEC reviews the conduct of the 2024 off-cycle elections and long-term preparation begins for the Anambra 2025 governorship elections, we call on all citizens to remain active participants in Nigeria’s civic process and remain committed to developing the country’s democracy.
“Even with the modest gains recorded in the recent off-cycle elections, all critical stakeholders cannot afford to rest on their oars.
“It is hoped that future elections will be peaceful and show progress in Nigeria’s march towards a more representative, free, and fair democracy,” he said.
