Activist Ibrahim Showa Spotlights Flaws in Nigeria’s Democratic Process, Stresses the Urgency of Action Beyond Voting to End Corruption

Ibrahim Showa, a business expert and activist, has shed light on the flaws within Nigeria’s democratic system.

He emphasized the need for citizens to take action beyond the voting booth to combat corruption, stressing the importance of a comprehensive and immediate response to root out these pervasive issues.

Taking to his X handle, he wrote “Until we acknowledge the undeniable truth that we cannot vote ourselves or our country out of the control of the corrupt, greedy, and Western puppets in charge of Nigeria’s affairs; we will persist in enduring the agony of a hopeless hope. #FearlessInOctober”

Ibrahim’s statement is coming following the mass vote buying and election irregularities during the Edo State Gubernatorial Election yesterday.

Reports from civil society organization, the Nigerian Civil Society Situation Room (NCSSR) had revealed how the Edo State Governorship election was marred by widespread vote-buying, with some politicians offering bread, cash, and other incentives to sway voters.

The group said it observed rampant instances of blatant vote buying and selling across several polling units in the ongoing Edo State Governorship election.

“Situation Room observers reported widespread instances of blatant vote buying and selling across several polling units, despite the huge presence of security personnel,” the group said in a statement co-signed by Yunusa Z. Ya’u, Mimidoo Achakpa and Franklin Oloniju.

The group also reported a range of vote-buying tactics employed, with prices for votes varying between ₦5,000 and ₦10,000. In some cases, food items such as bread were offered to voters in exchange for their support.

“The price of votes ranged from N5,000 to N10,000 per voter in several locations, including PU08 and 09 Ward 2, Owan-East LGA; PU 02 Ward 2, Etsako-West LGA; and several polling units in Egor, Oredo and Owan-West LGAs.

“In some cases, voters were also induced with food items such as bread,” the group said.

The group, however, acknowledged the arrest of the alleged two vote traders in George Idah Primary School, Ward 2, Oredo Local Government Area.

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