Benin-based political analyst, Moses Uyi Osaretin, has urged Nigerians to take greater ownership of the electoral process and protect their votes to ensure that credible leaders emerge through the ballot.
Speaking on Inside Analysis on Voice of the People Television (VOP TV), Osaretin dismissed claims that votes do not count in Nigeria, pointing to the 2023 general elections as proof that electoral outcomes can reflect the people’s will.
“If you say votes don’t count, how come Peter Obi won in Lagos? How come he won in Abuja and in Edo? Votes count,” Osaretin stated.
He called on citizens to show more interest in who becomes their governor and other elected officials, stressing that when people unite to defend their mandate, their collective power can no longer be ignored.
“Nigerians should rise up and decide who becomes their leader. When we all rise and protect our votes, I’m very sure we will begin to elect the kind of leaders we can truly count on,” he added.
During the discussion, VOP presenter Moses Humphrey asked Osaretin why Governor Godwin Obaseki appeared to have lost the people’s support during the 2024 Edo political transition despite enjoying massive goodwill during his 2020 re-election.
“The people supported Obaseki when he was coming for a second term. What then happened? Why didn’t they support him when he tried to produce his preferred successor?” Humphrey asked.
In response, Osaretin explained that the political atmosphere in 2024 was markedly different from that of 2020. While Obaseki performed creditably in infrastructure, he said, the governor had alienated key political allies.
“To be candid, Governor Obaseki performed in terms of infrastructure, but he offended too many people — particularly politicians,” Osaretin noted.
“From the panels to political stakeholders and even the presidency, he was not on good terms with those who once supported him, including Nyesom Wike.”
Asked if Edo people voted against the governor’s preferred candidate, Osaretin highlighted low voter turnout as a major factor.
“This is part of the problem we are talking about. How many people came out to vote?” he asked.
“Edo has over 1.3 million registered voters, but less than 600,000 turned up on election day. When citizens shy away from the process, the powerful few can hijack it.”
He concluded by urging Edo residents and Nigerians at large to participate fully in elections, warning that voter apathy remains one of the biggest threats to Nigeria’s democracy.
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