Political commentator, Mahdi Shehu, has lamented over the conduct of the recent by-elections. The by-election in Kano have drawn sharp criticism from observers who say the democratic process is being undermined by cash inducements and systemic failures.
Shehu shared a video on X on Monday showing a politician distributing money, while commenting on the situation.
He described the elections as a clear reflection of the state of democracy in Nigeria under the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“Democracy is simply a joke in Nigeria where everybody is living in denial until suddenly that day comes,” he said.
Shehu pointed out how politicians openly gave money to voters, with security agencies allegedly standing by idly without intervention.
“The politicians are unapologetic in inducing the electorates with money, and the police are often willing to facilitate this and support them. Voters and thugs are eager for the politicians’ one-off ‘cash gifts,’ while election officials will always look the other way for a price.
“INEC does not have the courage to enforce the law against monetary and material inducement because even INEC itself is unteachable. Election tribunals and courts are unlikely to admit such evidence as credible, since some of their members are part of the democratic failures. Yet local and foreign election observers will validate the results regardless,” he said.
