The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has stated that the 2019 general election was marred by electoral violence, voter inducement and militarisation of the exercise, a development it said would have negative repercussion on Nigeria’s democratic advancement.
The party’s National Working Committee (NWC) said Tuesday after its meeting to assess the 2019 general election and strategise for subsequent elections, accused major political parties and governments of colluding with state agencies to terrorise the electorate and disenfranchised them.
“There was heavy commercialisation of the process, which involved vote buying, inducement, of electoral officers, adhoc staff, and other forms of electoral corruption by the federal and state members of the executive arms of government.
“The cause of democracy was thwarted and the people were denied the right to exercise their mandate. The Nigerian public and the international observers are witnesses to the desperation of state governors, and the abuse and corruption of the entire process”, the communiqué signed by the national chairman and the secretary, Chief Ralphs Okey Nwosu and Alhaji Said Baba Abdullahi said.
The party regretted that its strategic goals in the general election were not met because “Nigeria’s democracy is tragically challenged, adding that collusion between the APC administration and some forces to cheat and deliver scripted results made it impossible for them to achieve set targets.
Nonetheless, the party vowed to sustain its drive towards transparent and credible elections in the country even as it praised its members for putting up a spirited campaign in the exercise.
“As a responsible political party, we shall challenge the excesses of people in government, both at the national and state levels, to ensure that the integrity of our elections, all democratic institutions, governments, and structures are accorded due respect.
“As a party, we are committed to driving credible and transparent elections using the C4e-Integrity as a campaign and learning vehicle. We believe this is the best way for our country Nigeria.
We congratulate all ADC members-elect, who won elections to serve at the national and state assemblies. We are going to celebrate them and expose them to the best parliamentary practices so that they will give exceptional representation, and be the stellar leaders that will give impetus to our democracy,” he said.
Further, the party called for the review of the electoral process, adding it would enhance the growth of democracy in the country.
“We, therefore, call for the review of the electoral process, and redesign of the democratic architecture, to give protection to all arms and tiers of government to be more effective and grow our country.”
