Politics
2019 Polls: The InternaAtional Observers’ Perspective
The European Union Election Observation Mission (EUEOM) to Nigeria in its final report on the February and March 2019 polls, stated categorically that there was need for serious electoral.
In the same vien, the National Democratic Institute (NDI) also in its report said it had become very imperative for Nigeria to put in place measures that would help strengthen the electoral reforms system.
All the groups in their findings observed that the elections were characterised by acts of violence, intimidation, arrests of opposition party members, electoral officers and in some cases outright killings of opposition members and electoral officers by agents of the Federal Government, the Army and Police.
According to the observer teams, the 2019 general elections fall far below international standards and even below the 2015 elections which brought the present administration to power.
It then recommended that if Nigeria was to get it right, there was urgent need for national dialogue across party lines and that INEC should also thoroughly investigate and prosecute election officials who engaged in electoral offences.
They also asked the police and military hierarchy to investigate and sanction security personnel who violated the rules of engagement during the elections.
Basically, patriots who really care for the future of this country, called Nigeria will continue to be worried that despite the country’s almost 60 years of independence coupled with the experiences garnered in conducting elections, Nigeria is yet to get it right as electoral abuses get either more sophisticated or downrightly crude.
The harrowing experience a lot of people went through in some states and communities during the presidential elections did not give would-be voters much confidence that they will not be beaten, maimed or killed, that was why there was voter-apathy in subsequent elections, so the elections observers were not wrong in saying that there was an urgent need for reforms not only in the electoral process but also in the security aspect of the elections.
Although the reports are advisory, but they go a long way in ensuring that those who have listening ear to begin to question themselves over what went wrong and how to prevent those ugly incidents from re-occurring.
In 1999, the elections were generally peaceful but with few litigations and violence. Subsequent elections however were not so, with the 2019 election being described as the worst as some communities were even placed under siege.
A lot of questions need to be asked based on the election observers’ comprehensive report. One of such questions is whether a ruling party at can be trusted to conduct a free, fair and credible election without intimidation of opposition figures or the Judiciary.
What of the security agencies, what can we do to insulate them from being partisan during elections? All these question need answers and it behoves those at the helm of affairs at the top to live by example, obey judicial pronouncements and play by the rules.
It is only when we have a strong legislature; judiciary and an independent thinking security apparatus that there can be the rule of law and enforcement of court orders. Otherwise if the centre continues with the old ways of doing things, no amount of electoral reforms will bring anything positive in Nigerian body politics.
The average Nigerian politician is never a democrat. There is always this dictatorship tendency in them. Just check out the activities of most elected executives, be they presidents or governors. None of them really likes being criticised or losing out on elections or issues.
Until we curb or jettison some of these negative tendencies elections in Nigeria will continue to witness acts of violence across the country.
Even the Independent National Electoral Commission agreed with the submissions of the election observer teams and informed Nigerians that it had already embarked on its own internal review mechanism to check what went wrong and find possible ways of preventing future occurrence of some of the shameful acts which took place during the polls.
The chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Professor Yakubu Mahmoud, said the recommendations provided by the election observer teams would form major inputs in the areas of reform expected to be submitted to the 9th National Assembly. But to some analysts, until there is the will to properly implement recommendations no matter the good intentions of INEC, a ruling party can still circumvent the law as election in Nigeria is seen as a do- or-die affair.
For us to get it right once more, it is only the voter population and the executive that can make true democracy a culture in Nigeria. The executive should start implementing or obeying lawful judicial pronouncements. Except that is done, for the next 20 years, we will still be running in cycles, still waiting for reports from foreign bodies on how we bungled our elections.
INEC should continue to do its part by preparing right now for the 2023 elections by ensuring that it takes cognisance of its past mistakes and work out modalities on how to ensure a hitch-free election in the future.
One of the excuses it gave was that the large number of political parties created a lot of logistic problems. According to the commission, something has to be done about the 91 political parties because they are on the high side and if the country is to organise a very successful election the numbers have to be pruned down.
But this excuse is just an afterthought because how come India with a voting population of about 960 million and 2,293 political parties get it right while in Nigeria it is always a nightmare?.
The challenge we face as a country is that we don’t think ahead of possible problems that mustcrop up and end up using the fire brigade approach to solve issues that might have been thought of and prepared ahead.
However, from reports across, INEC is reviewing its performance and when finally it has fully assessed itself and taken into cognition its shortcomings, it will finally put its act together.
The problem of election management does not solely, rest on the shoulders of INEC but also the political class. Our politicians should stop behaving like Area Boys and professional agitators and learn to be winners and losers this is because after 60 years of independence part of the legacies we should bequeath to the younger generation ought not to be ballot box snatching election rigging, violence and dictatorship.
Nigeria is greater than that.
Tonye Ikiroma-Owiye
In a statement issued on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Obiora Ifoh, the party said it had taken note of Mr Obi’s defection alongside some of his supporters, as well as what it called a “lacklustre speech” delivered by the former Anambra State governor at the defection event.
“We wondered what new he intends to sell to Nigerians,” the party said, adding that it was not surprised by the move, having “since September 2024, parted ways with Peter Obi and some of his blind supporters in the National Assembly.”
According to the statement, the faction said it had patiently awaited Mr Obi’s exit, describing it as a blessing.
“The party is finally liberated by this defection and as party leaders, we count it as a blessing,” the party said.
The faction further disclosed that it had previously urged Mr Obi and his supporters to leave if they were unable to work with the party leadership.
It claimed that several lawmakers had been suspended for anti-party activities and that similar action would have been taken against Mr Obi but for the intervention of “some well-meaning Nigerians.”
It also blamed its internal crisis on Mr Obi and Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, accusing them of sponsoring what it described as an insurrection against the Julius Abure-led leadership.
“The crisis we had in the Labour Party was caused by Peter Obi and the Abia State governor, Alex Otti,” the statement alleged, adding that it was surprising Dr Otti had not followed Mr Obi out of the party despite his suspension.
Reacting to Mr Obi’s defection event in Enugu, the faction claimed the gathering was largely boycotted by prominent political and traditional institutions in the South East, insisting that those present were “political spent forces who cannot win in their wards should there be an election today.”
It warned that this development signalled the failure of any future Mr Obi presidential or vice-presidential ambition, claiming he had “clearly lost the charm that had endeared him to the people prior to 2023.”
The faction also accused Mr Obi of misleading the South East during the 2023 elections, alleging that the region suffers political marginalisation under President Bola Tinubu’s administration as a result.
“He must be told that the South East lost out completely in President Ahmed Tinubu’s government because they trusted and believed in him in 2023,” the statement said, alleging disparities in ministerial appointments and infrastructure allocation to the zone.
The Abure-Led LP apologised to Nigerians for its decision in the last election.
“We gave Nigerians a candidate we thought was good for the nation in 2023, but time has since proved that we made the greatest political mistake. We plead for forgiveness from Nigerians,” the party said.
It urged Nigerians to watch out for a rebranded Labour Party, promising to present “the best prospect” capable of returning Nigeria to what it described as its “glorious days.”
steadily toward unity, justice, and shared prosperity”, he said.
Speaking to journalists on Wednesday at his country home in Ikere-Ekiti, Dr Oluyede said the development came as a shock, stressing that INEC supervised and monitored the PDP governorship primary that produced him as the party’s candidate.
According to him, INEC officials documented the process, completed all required forms, and even affirmed his candidacy in court through sworn affidavits arising from cases linked to the primary election.
He maintained that no court order or injunction currently restrains INEC from listing his name as the PDP candidate, arguing that the electoral body lacks the constitutional power to determine who emerges as a party’s nominee.
Dr Oluyede described such decisions as the exclusive responsibility of political parties, not the electoral umpire.
While playing down panic over the released list, Dr Oluyede noted that electoral processes often involve reviews and corrections.
He disclosed that he had commenced wide consultations, including engagements with PDP leadership and formal correspondence with INEC, to seek clarification on the omission and determine the next line of action.
The PDP candidate assured his supporters across Ekiti State that he would appear on the ballot, expressing confidence that the situation would be resolved in his favour.
He described attempts to exclude candidates from elections as dangerous and undemocratic, warning that such tactics undermine the people’s right to freely choose their leaders.
Dr Oluyede called on the people of Ekiti to reject any form of disenfranchisement, insisting that elections should be contests of ideas, records, and acceptance by the electorate rather than exclusionary maneuvers.
He also declared that the PDP in Ekiti had resolved its past internal crises and was now united, focused, and ready to win the forthcoming governorship election.
He urged party members and supporters to remain calm and focused, expressing optimism that, with divine grace and the will of the people, the PDP would emerge victorious at the polls.
Mr Obi spoke while formally declaring for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) at a well-attended event in Enugu on Wednesday, where he outlined what he described as a fresh roadmap for rescuing the country from its socio-economic challenges.
Addressing party members, supporters and other stakeholders, the former governor stressed that leadership must be driven by integrity and accountability, warning against the culture of double standards in public office.
“We cannot continue to deceive our people. Leadership is about telling the truth and leading by example. You cannot promise one thing in public and do another in private. That is not leadership, and that is not the change Nigeria needs”, Mr Obi said.
He maintained that genuine national rebirth would only be possible if entrenched wrongs were corrected, adding that governance must be guided by competence, discipline and a clear sense of purpose.
Mr Obi also underscored the need for fresh thinking in the nation’s political space, urging political actors to move away from recycled ideas that have failed to deliver sustainable development.
“We must come with new ideas,” he said, adding that “Nigeria’s problems are not mysterious; what has been lacking is the courage and competence to address them differently. We need a new approach that puts people first and focuses on production, not consumption.”
Calling for a broad based political collaboration, Mr Obi appealed to parties and stakeholders across ideological divides to work together in the national interest.
“This country is bigger than any party or individual. All parties must come together to change the present trend. What matters is not the platform, but the future of Nigeria and the wellbeing of its citizens”, he declared.
Looking ahead to the 2027 general elections, Mr Obi challenged aspirants seeking elective offices to ensure transparency in their credentials, warning that the era of falsified certificates was drawing to a close.
“Anyone contesting for any position in 2027 must come with genuine certificates. All the machinery is now in place to verify what is genuine and what is not. Integrity must start from the very foundation of leadership”, he stated.
Drawing lessons from international development models, Mr Obi cited Rwanda and Indonesia as examples of countries that rose from difficult beginnings to become thriving economies through disciplined leadership and sound policies.
“These countries were once behind us,” he noted, adding that “Today, they are moving ahead because they chose competent leadership, clear vision and policies that support local production and human capital development.”
He also criticised the economic policies of the present administration, particularly the continued importation of food items that can be produced locally, describing such practices as inimical to national development.
“You cannot grow an economy by killing local production. Importing food that we can produce in Nigeria destroys jobs, weakens our farmers and drains our foreign exchange. A serious country must produce what it consumes”, he argued.
The event featured renewed calls from ADC supporters for sustained engagement and mobilisation, as Mr Obi reiterated his belief that Nigeria remains redeemable if led with honesty, competence and a commitment to shared national progress.
In his remarks, the National Chairman of the ADC, Senator David Mark, expressed confidence in the emerging coalition, assuring Nigerians that the party would deliver good governance at all levels of administration if entrusted with power.
The gathering also witnessed the defection of several prominent politicians from different political parties across the South-East and beyond.
The motion endorsing the defection was moved by a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, and seconded by former economic adviser to ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, Prof. Osita Ogbu.
Goodwill messages from notable political figures, including Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Mrs. Aisha Yesufu, Chief Sam Egwu, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, Chief Achike Udenwa, Mr Onyema Ugochukwu and Senator Gilbert Nnaji among others, further underscored the growing momentum within the ADC.
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