Former Convener of the Situation Room and election advocate, Ene Obi, has warned that Nigeria is drifting towards a one-party state, saying the development could undermine political competition.
Speaking during an interview on ARISE News on Friday ahead of the Osun Governorship Election, Obi linked the situation to what she described as the desperation of the political class.
“I think it is the desperacy of the politicians, the desperacy of the political class, and also, I think one of the key things that we have is that Nigeria is drifting towards a one-party state. When it is drifting like that, it means the one party wants to have it all.”
Obi said civil society groups were more concerned about the credibility of the electoral process than which political party wins.
“But if we are taking it from the words of the president, we are asking him, because from the civil society, we are not worried about who is winning the election. We are concerned about the process. Let the process be free and fair. If they win it, if the opposition wins it, let them win it.”
She questioned actions taken against some political figures and institutions shortly before the Osun election, saying such developments could intimidate voters.
“But when you become desperate, if you remember going to this election, at one point, one of the accounts of the state was frozen. The secretary to the government was also arrested. Very close to the election.
“It is like, what are you trying to do? Are you trying to intimidate people?”
Obi called for political parties to allow Osun residents to freely choose their next governor.
“So, if we want to watch what the ruling party is talking about, about free and fair, they should leave Osun alone. Let Osun people choose the leader that they want. Let them have freedom.
“Let them be protected as well.”
She also questioned the reported drive by the ruling party to control more states.
“What is the conspiracy of the ruling party wanting to get all states? It is not a contest anymore.
“Why don’t you want to compete with people?”
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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