ABUJA The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the opposition Labour Party (LP) voiced dismay yesterday over the US 2023 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices' finding that, in spite of numerous anomalies, the 2023 elections represented Nigerians' will.
All Progressives Congress, or APC, and the President, on the other hand, applauded the findings but asserted that the party did not require outside confirmation of its electoral successes.
The US Department of State's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor released a report that outlined human rights abuses and practices in several nations, including Nigeria.
It said that despite several anomalies, the results of the most recent general elections in Nigeria represented the will of the people.
LP and PDP, finding flaws in the conclusion, declared their commitment to strengthening Nigerian democracy and preventing the establishment of a one-party state.
Highlights from the report
According to the allegation, during Lagos' March 2023 gubernatorial election, voters in Igbo-majority regions were prevented from casting ballots by APC supporters.
"National elections were generally seen as reflecting the will of the electorate, notwithstanding several anomalies and logistical and technological challenges.
The results of the year's presidential, legislative, and state elections, as evaluated by several impartial observers, were found to represent the will of the electorate despite allegations of violence, intimidation, ballot stuffing, voting suppression, and ballot-buying.
"All Progressives Congress (APC) supporters allegedly harassed and repressed votes in Igbo-dominated regions during the March 18 state election in Lagos. Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, won these areas in the national election held on February 25.
Social media videos went viral, depicting APC supporters in Ojo (a Lagos local government area) threatening to harm ethnic Igbo voters who were thought to be pro-Obi.
"In addition to attacking journalists, APC supporters in Eti-Osa occasionally blocked polling and barred non-Yoruba voters from going to the polls. "Police officers were present but failed to respond to attacks," the report stated, citing videos that were broadcast on social media. They also physically stopped voters and damaged property at Amuwo-Odofin.