Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, has lauded South Africa’s recent presidential election, emphasizing its efficiency and transparency.
Obi drew sharp contrasts between South Africa’s smooth electoral process and the contentious 2023 presidential election in Nigeria.
In an interview with AIT, Obi praised South Africa’s electoral integrity.
“With about 60% voter turnout and over 90% of polling stations opening on time, including provisions for diaspora voting, South Africa’s election results and updates were available in real-time without any technical glitches,” he stated.
Obi highlighted that the seamless online dissemination of results underscored the robustness and transparency of their system.
Conversely, Obi criticized Nigeria’s 2023 election, which experienced less than 30% voter turnout and over 60% of polling stations starting late.
He pointed out the lack of diaspora voting provisions and noted the election was marred by allegations of fraud, widespread irregularities, and technical glitches.
This, despite the significant expenditure of around a billion dollars, including a direct allocation of N313 billion and additional donor agency support.
Obi lamented the stark differences between the electoral processes of the two countries.
He noted South Africa’s state-of-the-art electronic board at its Election Results Center, which showcased results with unparalleled precision and speed.
“Meanwhile, Nigeria’s electoral process is mired in controversy and lacks transparency,”
“This glaring juxtaposition is a painful reminder of our country’s ongoing struggles with democratic governance.”
Emphasizing the urgent need for comprehensive electoral reforms in Nigeria, Obi called for a system that ensures free, fair, and credible elections.
“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. A new Nigeria is possible!”
