Doyin Okupe, the former Director-General of the Labour Party (LP) presidential campaign organization during the 2023 elections, stated on Monday that all elections in Nigeria have been rigged in some form, with the possible exception of the 1993 annulled election, which produced the late Chief MKO Abiola. Okupe’s comments were made while addressing journalists in Lagos in response to criticisms from supporters of Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party candidate, who were displeased with Okupe for backing the current administration’s policies.
Okupe emphasized that the Supreme Court’s ruling on the outcome of the 2023 presidential election, which confirmed President Bola Tinubu’s victory, should put to rest any disputes about the election. He argued that citizens should accept the court’s verdict and focus on the future, noting that life must continue after elections, and grievances should be addressed in subsequent election cycles.
He compared the situation to the United States, where many Republicans believe the 2020 election that brought Joe Biden to power was rigged, yet the country did not descend into chaos. Instead, Americans are preparing for the next election to address any perceived flaws in the process.
