By Lawrence Onobrakpeya
The recent outburst and action by the sitting governor of Edo State has once again highlighted the dangerous consequences of Nigeria’s flawed electoral process. By issuing a stern and unconstitutional warning that the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate must not enter Edo State without his express approval, the governor betrayed not just the people’s mandate but also the very Constitution he swore to uphold. This abuse of power is not an isolated act of political arrogance; it is the price Nigeria continues to pay for broken elections—a system where public office is more often secured through manipulation than through genuine democratic choice.
The Nigerian Constitution clearly guarantees the freedom of movement to every citizen. No governor, regardless of status, has the authority to deny anyone entry into any part of the country without a legal basis as determined by a competent court. The Edo governor’s declaration amounts to a betrayal of democratic values, exposing a deep ignorance—or willful disregard—of the responsibilities attached to his office. Sadly, this is a common thread running through the fabric of Nigerian politics: leaders who ascend to power not to serve, but to dominate, bully, and control.
*From Ballot Manipulation to Executive Overreach*
This incident reflects the deeper problem of how leaders emerge in Nigeria. The root cause of this constitutional disregard is the flawed electoral process that prioritizes wealth and influence over character and competence. In too many instances, the ballot has become a tool not for selecting visionary leaders but for legitimizing pre-arranged outcomes, orchestrated by political godfathers and fueled by illicit funds. When leaders ascend to power through dubious means, they arrive in office without a true sense of accountability to the people—and the results are tragic.
1. *Corruption of the Electoral Selection Process*
Elections in Nigeria often bear the marks of premeditated manipulation. Rather than the people choosing their leaders through a fair and transparent system, outcomes are frequently determined by the highest bidder. Vote-buying, thuggery, and outright rigging undermine the will of the electorate. This has led to a tragic paradox: the people vote, but they do not choose. Those who manipulate their way into office feel no obligation to respect the Constitution, serve the people, or uphold democratic norms—hence, their swift slide from ballot box victory to betrayal of trust.
2. *Weaponizing Poverty*
Poverty in Nigeria is not just a social issue—it is a political strategy. Successive leaders have failed to empower citizens economically because a hungry populace is easier to control. During elections, small handouts—cash, rice, wrappers—are used to secure votes, creating a culture of dependency. This weaponization of poverty ensures that people continue to vote against their own interests, empowering leaders who have neither the capacity nor the will to govern responsibly.
3. *Complicity of the Electoral Umpire*
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which is supposed to safeguard the sanctity of the vote, has too often been part of the problem. Accusations of collusion, result manipulation, and negligence have plagued the body. Worse still, many of its senior officials are professors and intellectuals, individuals expected to uphold truth and integrity. It is a painful irony that the very academics who teach principles of justice and democracy are accused of subverting them during elections. Their students, in turn, become instruments of electoral violence—snatching ballot boxes, falsifying results, and destroying public confidence in the process.
4. *Failure to Enforce Electoral Laws*
Even when electoral reforms are enacted, political will to enforce them is absent. Laws are selectively applied, ignored, or openly broken—often by those entrusted with upholding them. Regulatory bodies and security agencies are compromised. Courts are overloaded or intimidated. This failure emboldens political actors to act with impunity, knowing that consequences are rare. The result is a lawless political culture where the Constitution is trampled underfoot.
*The Way Forward*
To stop this cycle of betrayal, Nigeria must confront the broken electoral system head-on. Electoral reforms must go beyond mere paperwork:
1. The people must demand transparency, accountability, and consequences for those who rig elections or abuse power.
2. Voter education should be intensified so that citizens understand their rights and reject inducements.
3. The judiciary must be strengthened to deliver swift and impartial justice.
4. Finally, the culture of leadership must shift from entitlement to service.
Until this happens, we will continue to witness incidents like that of the Edo State governor—leaders who, having emerged from a corrupted process, betray the trust of the people and disregard the Constitution with impunity.
*Conclusion*
The price of broken elections is high. It is paid not only in stolen mandates but also in the erosion of public trust, the collapse of democratic institutions, and the rise of leaders who mistake office for ownership. The Edo State governor’s unconstitutional pronouncement is just one example of how betrayal begins at the ballot. For Nigeria to move forward, elections must once again become the voice of the people—not the tool of their oppression. Only then can leadership reflect the will of the people, and the Constitution regain its rightful authority.
A piece written by:
*Lawrence Onobrakpeya*
lawbra2007@gmail.com
Social commentator
