The All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), candidate for Ikwuano, Umuahia North and Umuahia South Federal Constituency at the 2023 General Elections, has come out to reveal how the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), contributed to his defeat at the polls.
In an interview with our Reporter, the APGA Federal House of Representatives candidate, Engr. Ogbonna Abarikwu (Agu Ibeku), stated that they had so much belief that INEC was on top of its game with the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and therefore, confident that the electoral processes would be seamless, free and fair. But he expressed disappointment about how the reverse became the case.
Engr. Abarikwu pointed out that INEC should be considerably trusted by citizens to diligently carry out their roles and responsibilities, so that the outcomes of elections generally reflect the will and mandates of the masses. He emphasized that voting should be trusted as the primary mechanism available to citizens to select and bring to governance, individuals that they consider most fit to represent their interest in government.
He added that there shouldn’t be any loopholes in the electoral process that could give rise to rigging, vote buying, intimidation and other forms of electoral manipulations.
The APGA candidate stated that they had already documented their flaws at the poll, emphasizing that if given another chance to contest, they would followed closely the electoral processes, keeping their eyes on the technicalities.
“Free and fair election should be guaranteed if we must run again and we’ll ensure this agenda is pushed further.
Chief Abarikwu, went on to add that because younger Nigerians are the future of the country, that this is the right time to encourage and involve them in all areas of politics and the quest for quality governance.
According to him, the youths are more in tune with today’s technology and its underlying global economy. He appealed to administrators at all levels of government to diligently seek out the best and brightest youths, who are interested in public service and offer them opportunities in positions that would allow them to bring 21st century thinking into our brand of conducting elections, politics, cutting down the cost of government and most importantly, serving with the ultimate intention of building or backing up the reputation and pride of Nigeria in Africa and beyond.
Hinting the Press whether he would re-contest come 2027 General election, Engr. Abarikwu, informed that there are no plans yet as to whether he would re-contest.
Reacting to the ongoing nationwide protest caused as a result of hunger, hardship and bad governance, the APGA Fed. Reps candidate for Ikwuano, Umuahia North and Umuahia South, disclosed that the current uproar is tied to leadership flaws.
“We all take cues from our leaders/ rulers, whether at the family, community or state levels. Leadership is key to the development of any community of people, nations inclusive.
“If you elect leaders that have sufficient empathy for their citizens, then they will bring into the office good governance. When there is good governance, decisions are made not to benefit an individual alone but the community at large.
“Decisions should be made around what is best for the citizenry. A lot of wrongs in Nigeria today, are basically as a result of wrong leadership”.
He added that those elected may be good individuals, but because they have some questionable pedigree, it becomes difficult for them to do the right things or even make policies that would favour a greater section of the population.
Abarikwu equally added that most policies made in Nigeria are skewed towards individual interests and not for public good. Such ill-conceived policies or directives and their shave it down the throat of masses are accountable to large extent to the frustration, agitation, protest that are prevalent in the country today.
He further urged the various arms in-charge of election matters, the INEC and most especially the Judiciary, to stand to their duties, so as to restore sanity to the electoral system, making votes to count in Nigeria
