Election Integrity At Risk: HURIWA Condemns Rigging And Bribery In Edo, Ondo

Election Integrity At Risk: HURIWA Condemns Rigging And Bribery In Edo, Ondo

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has strongly condemned the vote-buying and electoral malpractice observed in the recent gubernatorial elections in Edo and Ondo states. In a statement released on Sunday, HURIWA denounced...CONTINUE READING…

the reported bribery of police officers in Ondo, describing it as a grave threat to democracy.

The group criticized the police for failing to take action while the ruling party allegedly engaged in widespread voter inducement. HURIWA, led by National Coordinator Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, called on Nigerians to uphold the values of democracy and resist the temptation to sell their votes.

The organization warned that any electoral victory achieved through manipulation would delegitimize the leadership and degrade the people’s democratic rights. The statement further emphasized that such electoral fraud would only empower politicians to focus on recouping their illicit investments, leading to a lack of accountability and neglect of the people’s needs.

HURIWA urged civil society, religious, and traditional leaders to educate citizens on the importance of voting based on their conscience and not accepting bribes, stressing that voting is a fundamental right that should not be compromised. The group also condemned politicians who use economic policies to perpetuate poverty, thus creating an environment for corruption and vote-buying during elections.

In conclusion, HURIWA stressed that accepting bribes during elections undermines both the dignity of individuals and the development of the state, warning that it would ultimately harm the people and hinder progress.