Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi, has highlighted the recent South African election results as a prime example of a transparent and efficient democratic process.
Obi contrasted this with Nigeria’s 2023 general election, which he described as a “show of shame.”
In his critique, Obi emphasized the stark differences between the two electoral processes, underscoring Nigeria’s ongoing struggles with democratic governance. He noted, “The outcome of the recent South African election results remains a shining example of what a transparent and efficient democratic electoral process should look like.”
Obi praised South Africa’s election for its high voter turnout, timely opening of polling stations, and the inclusion of diaspora voting. He pointed out that the results and updates were provided in real-time without any technical glitches, demonstrating the robustness and transparency of their system. “The seamless online dissemination of results further highlights their commitment to democratic principles and technological advancement,” he added.
In sharp contrast, Obi criticized Nigeria’s 2023 election, which saw less than 30% voter turnout, significant delays in opening polling stations, no diaspora voting, and numerous allegations of fraud and irregularities. Despite significant expenditure, the process was plagued by technical issues and has been widely discredited. Obi lamented, “This is in stark contrast to the ‘show of shame’ that the giant of Africa, Nigeria, presented to the world in 2023.”
Obi detailed the inefficiencies in Nigeria’s electoral process, highlighting the stark and lamentable differences between the two countries’ elections. He pointed out South Africa’s state-of-the-art Election Results Center, which showcased results with unparalleled precision and speed, as a model Nigeria should aspire to. Meanwhile, Nigeria’s process remains controversial and lacking in transparency.
He called for urgent and comprehensive electoral reforms in Nigeria to ensure free, fair, and credible elections, urging the country to learn from South Africa’s example. Obi concluded, “It underscores the urgent need for comprehensive electoral reforms to ensure that our elections are free, fair, and credible. We must learn from South Africa’s example and strive to build a system that restores the people’s faith in our democracy. The time for action is now, and we cannot afford to delay any longer in addressing these critical issues for a new Nigeria is POssible!”
