2023: Electoral process cannot be perfect without “manipulations and riggings in some areas” — Tinubu breaks silence on alleged rigging
Bola Tinubu, the All-Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, has declared that the electoral process cannot be perfect and devoid of manipulations in some areas but politicians must accept the result of free and fair elections.
Mr Tinubu disclosed this to journalists on Saturday at his home in Lagos, while insisting that he would emerge president from Saturday’s election because he had worked harder than other candidates.
“A democrat, a true democrat, must accept the result of free and fair elections. As a democrat, you must have faith in the system. Once you have faith in the system, it is not a problem to accept the result of free and fair elections,” Mr. Tinubu said when asked if he would accept the result of Saturday’s election if he loses.
Speaking further, Bola Tinubu said “Perception is one thing. On rare occasions that you have skirmishes and lack of confidence, it is created by the politicians. Not the electoral process.
In the electoral process, we cannot see 100 percent perfection. People have to tolerate that. Equally, when you are talking of manipulation in some areas, you have to evaluate what is material. Materiality comes to play. How many compared to the total turnout or total who voted? You’ve got to accept the result of a fairly responsible voter’s decision,” he added.
This is coming after reports of election rigging by the All Progressive Congress (APC) in some areas of Lagos.
The Presidential and National Assembly elections were held nationwide on Saturday but they were marred by violence in many parts of the country.
The situation led to the loss of lives and disruption of the voting process in many areas.
On Dipolubi Street in the Surulere area of Lagos, a woman, Efidi Bina Jennifer, was allegedly stabbed by thugs loyal to a political party at the polling unit. She, however, came back to cast her vote after being given first aid treatment and wearing a heavy bandage on her face and dripping with blood.
Her picture and video went viral on social media with some Nigerians commending her resolve and raising money for her.
Her younger sister, Bina said, “We have taken her to the hospital but she is resting now. We have not reported it to the police but they visited her at the hospital.”
A polling unit outside the Oba Elegushi Palace at Ikate in Eti-Osa, Lekki, was attacked by thugs.
The hoodlums carted away ballot boxes and chased away electoral officers.
A resident of the area, who spoke on condition of anonymity said, “The information I’m getting is that violence erupted outside the Oba’s palace.
“The ballot boxes were snatched and everybody ran away. Thugs are still hanging around the area.”
Also, a popular tweep, Samuel Otigba, who voted in the polling unit inside the palace wrote on Twitter, “The vote outside the palace was scattered by area boys. Ballot box jacked (hijacked). (Thugs) chased the presiding officer away.
“They just physically assaulted @EditiEffiong because he was videoing the whole thing. He tried running into the palace when they saw and chased him but they locked the gate. This is madness. The police officers here just stood & did nothing. They took his phone & deleted the video.
“Was outside when they chased and assaulted @EditiEffiong, tried recording but they are beating anyone recording here & taking your phone if they spot you. Area dey hot.”
