Like NBA, Like Osun: Issues in Election Credibility

Actions taken before elections can significantly bolster or undermine their credibility, influencing perceptions of government motives and fairness. The article contrasts two scenarios: one that enhanced election legitimacy and another that cast doubt on the process.

In the 2023 Presidential Election, President Bola Tinubu's loss in Lagos, a traditional stronghold, to Peter Obi lent considerable credibility to the election. This outcome countered claims of rigging and evoked a sense of federalism reminiscent of earlier eras, where non-indigenous candidates could win in established regions.

Conversely, the article points to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission's (EFCC) freezing of the Osun State Government's account days before the August 15 gubernatorial election as an action that discredits the electoral process. The EFCC's move, which prevented the state government from meeting its financial commitments, is portrayed as an attempt to sabotage the incumbent's operations and create unpopularity, thereby benefiting the main contender, the APC.

While the EFCC claims the freeze was due to recent large financial transfers, the timing raises suspicions. The article questions why other states under investigation were not similarly targeted, suggesting a potential political motive, especially since Osun is the only state that faced this action. The author implies that the EFCC's actions appear less altruistic and more like political "witch-hunting."