By Monday OISE
A governorship aspirant for Edo 2024 Dr. Aruna Braimoh Denzel Edmond has expressed displeasure, bewilderment over the conduct of September 2nd, 2023 local government elections in Edo state.
In a statement personally signed by Dr. Aruna and made available to journalists said the result of the September 2, 2023 election wherein the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSEIC) allegedly awarded the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chairmanship and cancellers seat in the 18 local government of the state.
He noted, “there were very many sons and daughters of Edo State both at home and abroad who observed with great anxiety, dismay and bewilderment the events that characterized the ‘just conducted’ September 2nd, 2023 local government elections in Edo state.”
Dr. Aruna said, the way and manner the elections were conducted, especially with the late arrival of election materials and electoral officials, as well as the reports of non-arrival of both on election day at many polling units, has left many speechless.
He noted that the voters who turned out in their large numbers were deliberately disenfranchised on that election day, which for now, has in no small way or measure eroded and/or dampened the confidence of the electorate, candidates, and/ or contestants in the electioneering process.
“It is very unfortunate that this this happening at a time not so long after the last Presidential elections; an election that ill remain a red flag on our practice of democracy, as well as on the integrity of the electioneering process and the institution tasked with such a responsibility. Then again, like a magic wand, it was dejavu, a similar situation that the government and people of Edo State for obvious reasons ought to ensure is avoided here in Edo state,” he said.
Going further, the LP governorship aspirant added that prior to the September 2nd local government council elections, there were postulations and predictions from several quarters that the elections would turn out the way they did. “History and time will tell of how we will be judged, for men are judged by their actions and the way we live.
“In fact, so many of us correctly predicted what the approach was going to be, taking into cognizance the wrong electoral tradition that seems to have come to stay concerning elections and the electoral institution in Edo state. It seems that we chose to follow the same pattern of consistent inconsistencies in our democratic development.”
He observed that, this notwithstanding, going forward, it will be more meaningful for the electoral institution to be seen as a more credible, democratic and impartial institution. That the culture of impunity during elections is discouraged while the electorate and the people of Edo state are encouraged by the actions and conduct of the electoral institution to have more faith and trust in the government of the day in the state.
He subsequently observed that the litmus test and proof of the people’s faith and trust in the good performance of a government in a democracy is the level of electorate turnout during elections.
He therefore repeated to Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State that the election may have come and gone, but we all do not need to be reminded that the peace and progress of our beloved state is more important and superior to any personal or group or political party interest. Therefore, the need to show good sportsmanship going forward if you want greater victory to resonate with the good people of Edo State in the not so distant future.
“Based on the burden of responsibility thrust on Governor Obaseki by the good people of Edo State, it is expected that the governor would shield the people and government of the state from any path that can upturn the peace, progress and conviviality that Edo state is known for,” he added.
He made a quote that, “Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable. This time our late Edo brother Dele Giwa of the Newswatch fame, Evil done by man to man shall certainly be redressed. If not now, certainly later. If not by man, then by God. For the victory of evil over good can only be temporal.”
Dr. Aruna Braimoh Edmond who hails from Edo North Senatorial district of the state holds a doctorate degree in Economics from Trinity University, USA and an alumnus of Lagos Business School, Harvard Business School, Price water coopers tax academy, Philips Consulting management academy amongst others.
