The presidential running mate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Rotimi Amaechi, has accused politicians of stealing result sheets at unit level during polls.

Amaechi warned that politicians steal result sheets at the risk of the lives of ad-hoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

Addressing a group of youths, the former Rivers State governor said: “On the day of election in your Ward and in your Unit, you  finish voting, you stand for the counting. I have been a politician all my life, I have never worked anywhere before.

“I left university in 1987 and joined politics that same year, so you won’t teach me, unit level is where they vote.

“Politicians steal result sheets at the unit level risking the life of the INEC adhoc officer. As he comes, show us the result sheet or you are not going because politicians don’t care about your life, some parents must stop their children who want to be adhoc staff.”

He charged Nigerians to always insist on their votes being counted at the polling units during elections.

He added: “If there is a result sheet, we will queue up and when they finish counting, if you don’t upload it you are not going

“If we finish the election and there are one million persons in front of INEC and trust me if you do all these, ADC can mobilize one million people to INEC office.

“Don’t forget that there is an election that would have been rigged in Nigeria, the election that made Kwankwaso governor, how many of you remember that, when they looked outside and saw 500 persons what did they do, they announced.”

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A Chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, has expressed deep concern over the recent statement credited to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, where he boasted that former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, would never become President of Nigeria and that he possesses the political structure to ensure that such a presidential ambition fails again in 2027.

In a statement on Monday made available to journalists, Eze described the claim as unfortunate, childish, undemocratic, arrogant and reflective of a dangerous mindset that seeks to elevate one individual above the collective will of millions of Nigerians.

He stressed that in a democracy, no single politician, regardless of the position he occupies or perceived influence, possesses the power to determine who becomes President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The ADC chieftain therefore challenged the FCT Minister to explain to Nigerians the exact nature of the “structure” he constantly boasts about.

According to Eze, Nigerians should know whether the Minister is referring to a legitimate political structure built on the confidence, goodwill and support of the electorate or a structure allegedly anchored on the manipulation of state institutions, intimidation of political opponents, deployment of security agencies, abuse of governmental powers and other anti-democratic practices that have over the years undermined the sanctity of the electoral process.

“It is important that Wike tells Nigerians what he means by structure. Is it the structure of the people or the structure of power? Is it a structure founded on democratic principles or one built around the intimidation of opponents and the manipulation of institutions? These are questions Nigerians deserve answers.

He noted that the hardship, hunger, insecurity, rising cost of living and economic uncertainty currently confronting Nigerians have fundamentally altered the political consciousness of the electorate.

The ADC scribe stated that Nigerian people are increasingly determined to reclaim their country from leaders and political actors whose actions have contributed to the nation’s present challenges.

Eze maintained that the days when a few powerful individuals could sit in secluded political meetings and decide the fate of the nation are rapidly coming to an end.

He argued that the growing political awareness among Nigerians, particularly the youth, will make it increasingly difficult for any politician to impose his personal preferences on the electorate.

The ADC stalwart further reminded Wike that political influence is neither permanent nor absolute. He observed that history is replete with examples of individuals who once considered themselves indispensable political forces but eventually discovered that power belongs ultimately to the people.

He warned against the dangerous illusion of political invincibility, stressing that no politician remains relevant forever and that the electorate possesses the ultimate authority to reward or reject leaders at the polls.

Eze stated that many Nigerians are still grappling with the consequences of policies and political decisions of the current administration that have worsened their economic conditions and diminished their confidence in government.

He argued that rather than engaging in premature political chest-thumping, public office holders under the Tinubu regime should be focusing their energies on addressing the numerous challenges confronting ordinary citizens across the country.

He further emphasized that the 2027 presidential election will not be determined by boasts, threats, propaganda or political intimidation but by the collective judgment of Nigerians based on competence, credibility, vision and the capacity to rescue the nation from its present predicament.

The ADC chieftain expressed confidence that the army of patriotic Nigerians committed to democratic reforms and national development has provided a formidable platform – the ADC – a well-structured party, capable of challenging the current political order. He insisted that the political calculations that may have worked in previous election cycles cannot be relied upon as guarantees of future success.

“The unfortunate impression being created by Wike is that the destiny of Nigeria rests in his hands.

“Nothing can be farther from the truth. Nigeria belongs to over three hundred million citizens and not to one individual, no matter how highly placed. The occupant of Aso Rock in 2027 will be determined by Nigerians and not by the personal wishes of any political office holder,” Eze declared.

He warned that any political structure erected on arrogance, intimidation, manipulation and the abuse of state power will inevitably crumble when confronted with the united resolve of a determined electorate.

He stressed that Nigerians are wiser, more vigilant and more prepared than ever before to defend their democratic rights and ensure that their votes count.

Eze therefore advised Wike to abandon divisive rhetoric and clownish political grandstanding and instead focus on rendering effective service to Nigerians in his current capacity as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

“Nobody owns Nigeria. Nobody has the monopoly of political relevance. Nobody possesses a private franchise over the Presidency of this country. The sovereign will of Nigerians remains supreme and will ultimately prevail over every scheme, every structure and every attempt to undermine the democratic choice of the people. The 2027 election will be decided by Nigerians and Nigerians alone,” Eze noted.

The Social Democratic Party, SDP, governorship candidate in Oyo State, Mr Saheed Oladele, has said the electorate need to wake up to the reality of supporting their preferred candidates for political office financially.

Oladele stated this on Monday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Ibadan.

The governorship candidate said the electorate’s financial support to their choice candidates would make all the difference in electing credible leaders into office.

“As long as people continue to expect politicians who have embezzled public funds to share money shortly before elections, there will never be real change.

“Instead, people should contribute whatever they can, no matter how little, to support credible leaders.

“When such a persons eventually get into office, he will understand that the people truly brought him to power and not stolen money or political manipulation,” he said

Oladele said the SDP has credible candidates seeking political office and the followership to win governorship and other positions in the state in the 2027 general elections.

He gave assurance that if the party’s candidates are elected into office in the 2027 general election, Nigeria would be better for it.

Oladele said he decided to contest for the governorship position in the state because things were not the way it ought to be, adding that there was hardship in the state.

The SDP governorship candidate said that if voted into power, the standard of education, healthcare would be improved just as employment creation would receive priority.

“When you truly have organic followership, you feel free to make independent decisions.

“That is why when I left the All Progressives Congress, APC, to join SDP, many people were shocked, but all my followers are still with me,” Oladele said.

The SDP governorship candidate said he does not have any doubts about the strength of the SDP in Oyo State to produce the next governor.