No Election Is Perfect Anywhere – Fashola Tells Opposition to Accept Results

LAGOS – Former Lagos State Governor and ex-Minister of Works, Housing and Power, Babatunde Fashola, has declared that elections are inherently imperfect exercises, urging Nigerian opposition politicians to stop faulting outcomes and instead accept results while embracing their democratic role.

Speaking on Friday at The Platform, a public policy forum organised by the Covenant Christian Centre and led by Pastor Poju Oyemade as part of activities marking Democracy Day, Fashola laid bare the logistical scale of Nigerian elections to explain why absolute perfection remains unattainable.

According to the former minister, Nigeria conducts presidential elections across more than 176,000 polling units simultaneously, with officials and voters expected to perform identical tasks under vastly different conditions. This reality, he argued, makes flawless elections a practical impossibility anywhere in the world.

“Elections are an imperfect event because they require a large logistical operation across a federation,” Fashola told the audience.

He then challenged his listeners directly, posing a fundamental question about democratic conduct: “Do we agree as a people that elections are an imperfect event all over the world? They are never perfect because it is a large and challenging logistic undertaking. So, perfection is aspirational.”

Explaining the inherent difficulties of nationwide polls, Fashola noted that the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) cannot be present at every polling unit to supervise or verify procedures. He asked pointedly: “And so, with imperfections, are we agreed that we should accept the results? Or are we agreed that it must be INEC’s fault? Even when the INEC chairman cannot be in all of those 176,000 polling stations.”

READ ALSO:

• Elon Musk Becomes World’s First Trillionaire After SpaceX IPO Valuation Surge
• Iran to US: No Deal Unless We Keep Enriching Uranium & Controlling Hormuz
• Sowore Collapses as Tear Gas Disrupts Democracy Day Protest in Abuja

The former governor argued that electoral imperfections are not unique to Nigeria. He noted that even long-established democracies acknowledge such challenges while continually seeking ways to improve their electoral systems rather than undermining public confidence in democratic outcomes.

“In other jurisdictions, they recognise the imperfections, they aspire to improve, but they accept the results. They move peacefully and calmly to take up the position of opposition,” Fashola stated.

He expressed concern over what he described as a growing reluctance among some political actors to accept electoral defeat, warning that such attitudes weaken democratic development and prevent unsuccessful candidates and parties from playing constructive opposition roles.

“It seems to me that an unwillingness to accept the outcome of an election perhaps blinds the unsuccessful participants from seeking and taking up the role of opposition for the development of society,” he said.

Fashola emphasised that opposition politics plays a critical role in democratic governance and should not be viewed solely through the lens of electoral victory or defeat. He declared that “the role of opposition is as important, if not more important, than the role of those in government.”

Reflecting on the significance of June 12 as Democracy Day, Fashola recalled the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, describing it as a turning point in Nigeria’s democratic journey.

“This should have been an ordinary day, just another ordinary day. We had gone to vote and we had expected while we were monitoring the results that the votes would be counted. Then the abnormal happened. The votes were stopped, the elections were subsequently annulled and June 12 became not just a date anymore, it became an event, a cause and a movement, an agitation that took local, international and global centre stage,” he said.

The former minister stressed that democracy extends far beyond the conduct of elections. He urged citizens and political leaders to engage in deeper conversations about the kind of democratic culture Nigeria seeks to build.

“If we are to discuss democracy beyond elections, the question I ask is: What kind of democracy do we want? ” he asked.

Fashola also called for national consensus on critical governance issues such as taxation, foreign policy, parliamentary oversight, healthcare, education funding, labour relations and political party accountability. On taxation, he questioned whether political parties had clearly articulated their positions during recent debates on fiscal reforms.

“Can you truly have a representative government, a democratic government, without a debate about taxation? That is the basis of representation,” he said.

Addressing the broader function of consensus in democracy, Fashola noted that agreement across party lines does not weaken opposition politics. “Consensus does not disable opposition. On the contrary, it sharpens the alternative that they represent,” he stated.

The former minister further challenged Nigerians to reflect on the country’s identity, asking whether Nigeria should be regarded primarily as a nation or merely a country. “Are we a nation or are we a country? We use those words somewhat interchangeably, but they mean different things,” he said.

In a separate disclosure during a panel discussion at the same event, Fashola revealed that he did not receive security votes at any point during his eight years as governor of Lagos State. He explained that all funds belonging to the state government during his administration were managed through established institutional channels rather than being placed under the direct control of the governor, with revenues domiciled within the state’s Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning.

Fashola maintained that while elections remain a vital component of democracy, the true test of democratic maturity lies in the ability of institutions, political actors and citizens to uphold democratic values even after the ballots have been counted.

His remarks formed part of broader discussions at The Platform on the state of Nigeria’s democracy, governance, accountability and the responsibilities of citizens and political leaders in sustaining democratic institutions. The event was held at the Covenant Christian Centre in Lagos as part of activities marking the June 12, 2026 Democracy Day celebration.

No Election Is Perfect Anywhere – Fashola Tells Opposition to Accept Results

Aisha Yesufu Slams Dickson Over Comments on Peter Obi, NDC Leadership

Popular activist and member of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Aisha Yesufu, has criticised the party’s national leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, accusing him of displaying political insecurity and behaving as though he was in competition with the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

Yesufu made the remarks in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, reacting to Dickson’s interview on ARISE News, where he defended the NDC leadership and responded to criticism that followed the party’s recent primaries.

She said parts of the interview were “painfully appalling,” arguing that Dickson missed an opportunity to unite the party and reassure members ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to her, the interview should have focused on strengthening the party and promoting its candidates rather than highlighting internal disagreements.

“This part of the interview was so painfully appalling to watch. It looked as if you were insecure and in competition with your presidential candidate,” she wrote.

Yesufu argued that as a party leader, Dickson’s primary responsibility should be to calm tensions and build confidence among members, especially after a heated primary process.

READ ALSO:

• Davido Turns World Cup Stage Into Protest – Wears Jacket Bearing Names of Kidnapped Oyo Schoolchildren at FIFA Concert
• Sirika Trial: Nigeria Air Aircraft Chartered From Ethiopian Airlines for 3-Day Display – EFCC Witness
• Democracy Day: FG Declares June 12 Public Holiday

She added that his comments instead risked deepening divisions and sending the wrong message to supporters and aspirants.

The activist also rejected Dickson’s suggestion that some party members may have violated internal rules due to their popularity, insisting she followed due process during the primaries.

She maintained that she complied with party guidelines, even when uncertainty surrounded the conduct of certain primaries, including Senate contests, which she said were later addressed through internal adjustments.

Yesufu further disclosed that she had engaged supporters in parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to ease tensions after disagreements over the primaries.

She accused Dickson of treating the NDC as a platform that had already achieved its purpose upon registration, rather than a political movement focused on winning elections.

“With all due respect, sir, it looks as if you consider the NDC a special purpose vehicle whose aim has been achieved just by being registered instead of a political party whose aim is to win the 2027 general election decisively,” she said.

Yesufu stressed that political leadership requires humility and the ability to manage grievances, noting that unity remains critical for electoral success.

She said leaders must prioritise persuasion and reconciliation, especially in moments of internal disagreement, warning that alienating supporters could weaken the party’s chances in 2027.

“As a leader of a political party, your number one job… was to pacify aspirants… but you ended up antagonising the very people you would need to win an election. Every vote counts!” she said.

Yesufu also emphasised that the focus of political actors should remain on addressing Nigeria’s challenges rather than internal ego battles.

“There is a whole battle ahead of us. Rescuing Nigeria from the current state it is in should be the main focus, not people’s fragile ego,” she added.

Meanwhile, Dickson had earlier defended the NDC leadership, insisting the party remained united despite disagreements that emerged after the primaries and dismissing what he described as counterproductive attacks from some Obi supporters.

Aisha Yesufu Slams Dickson Over Comments on Peter Obi, NDC Leadership

Dickson Fires Back at Obi, Kwankwaso Supporters: ‘Stop Running Down NDC

The National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) , Senator Seriake Dickson, has issued a stern warning to overzealous supporters of the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, cautioning them against disparaging and running down the political platform that carries their aspirations ahead of the 2027 general election.

Speaking on Arise TV’s Prime Time programme, the former Bayelsa State governor dismissed rumours of an internal crisis, firmly asserting that the political party is doing the candidates a favour by granting them a platform, rather than the other way around.

In his address to the candidates’ followers, Dickson emphasised the foundational sacrifices made by the party’s leadership long before the prominent political heavyweights defected to the fold. “Peter Obi is a cherished member of our party. On our own, we have made him sole presidential candidate, and that counts for something. None of them was part of the formation when we were registering this party; they were not there. They didn’t pay one naira, no presidential candidate paid ‘shishi’,” Dickson stated.

He reminded critics that neither Obi nor Kwankwaso was part of the initial formation or registration process of the party, noting that they did not contribute financially to its establishment. “You have to grant NDC some credit. Stop making it look like anyone is doing NDC a favour. No one is. Rather, the NDC and my colleagues are doing them [candidates] a favour by granting them our platform,” he said.

The Senator expressed frustration that supporters are attempting to portray the candidates as doing the NDC a favour, arguing that followers cannot claim to support the candidate while simultaneously insulting the leader of the host platform. “You cannot be supporting Peter Obi, if you are genuinely supporting him, and you are disparaging me, the leader, or the platform itself. That is nonsensical,” Dickson warned.

Dickson further argued that the growing belief that the NDC was benefiting from Obi’s popularity was inaccurate, insisting that the party was instead extending an opportunity to the former Labour Party presidential candidate. “Now, NDC is the vehicle that will take Peter Obi and Kwankwaso to the Villa. So if they understand the processes, even if there’s no gratitude to those who set up the NDC and offered it, they should know that they are hurting themselves if they run down the platform,” he warned.

READ ALSO:

• World Cup 2026 Kicks Off as Mexico Renew Rivalry With South Africa
• Ceasefire Near Collapse as US Launches Second Night of Strikes on Iran
• Emir of Ilorin Appoints Sheikh Muhammad Bashir Dasuki as New Chief Imam of Ilorin

In a notable remark during the interview, Dickson declared that he possesses stronger credentials to contest for Nigeria’s highest office than Obi and Kwankwaso, although he said he deliberately decided against pursuing the presidency. “There is no one more qualified than me to run for the presidency. And for some reasons, I did not want to,” Dickson said. He noted that several prominent politicians had approached the NDC before Obi joined the party, including Senator Aishatu Binani from Adamawa State and others from across the country.

Dickson flatly denied allegations that the NDC sold nomination tickets to the highest bidders, describing such claims as unfounded. “The NDC doesn’t sell nomination tickets to people. What we have done, because we are a self-funding party, is to have aspirants make contributions and donations to the party account, and it applies to all categories of aspirants including the presidential aspirants,” Dickson explained. He added that a presidential aspirant is required to make a donation to the presidential campaign account, not to any individual, stressing: “We gave our platform to them [aspirants] without discussing money.”

Addressing concerns over donations, the NDC National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, denied that there was any rift within the party. He said donations by party members were voluntary and neither compulsory nor fixed, explaining that all donations are paid directly into official party accounts to ensure accountability and transparency.

Turning to broader electoral issues, Senator Dickson criticized the National Assembly’s interference in party administration, arguing that lawmakers have no business mandating direct primaries for political parties. He insisted that the choice of the mode of primary elections should be left entirely to the discretion of individual parties, highlighting that direct primaries often lead to chaotic situations where factions generate parallel and unverified results from unmonitored crowds.

Meanwhile, fresh internal tensions have emerged within the NDC in Kano State, with senior party officials accusing Kwankwaso of attempting to dominate the party’s structure and sideline other stakeholders. According to a petition reportedly submitted to Dickson by the North-West Vice Chairman of the party, Mohammed Serina, and the Kano State Chairman, Hussaini Mariga, a reconciliation meeting convened by the national leadership had earlier agreed that Kwankwaso and members of the Kwankwasiyya Movement would control 60 per cent of the party structure in Kano, while the remaining 40 per cent would be retained by other stakeholders. However, the Kwankwasiyya Movement rejected the allegations, describing them as false and misleading.

The controversy over nominations gained additional momentum following allegations made by Nollywood actor and lawyer Kenneth Okonkwo, who served as one of the official spokespersons for the Peter Obi/Yusuf Datti Presidential Campaign Council during the 2023 elections. Okonkwo recently released what he described as documentary evidence in support of allegations that aspirants were pressured to make payments during the party’s primary elections. In response, Peter Obi has threatened legal action against Okonkwo over the allegations, with a letter by Obi’s legal counsel dated June 9, 2026, describing Okonkwo’s allegations as fabricated and damaging.

The NDC officially endorsed former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi as its presidential flagbearer for the 2027 general election at a special national convention in Abuja on May 30, 2026. Shortly after accepting the nomination, Obi announced former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, as his running mate, describing Kwankwaso as a trusted partner who would play a central role in governance rather than serve as a ceremonial deputy.

In his acceptance speech, Obi identified security, national unity, power supply, healthcare, education, youth empowerment and job creation as key priorities of his administration if elected. He also pledged to reduce the cost of governance and ensure prudent management of public resources. Obi further promised that the vice president under his administration would play a meaningful role in governance. “I will make democracy work, and the Vice President will be a partner, not a spare tyre,” Obi stated.

The NDC leader expressed confidence that the party would remain a formidable platform ahead of the 2027 elections, arguing that growing public frustration over insecurity, economic hardship and governance challenges has created a strong appetite for political change. “The issues before Nigerians are too serious for us to be distracted by unnecessary divisions. Our focus must remain on insecurity, the economy, unemployment and the future of our country,” Dickson said. He urged supporters to channel their energy towards mobilising voters and promoting the party’s message rather than engaging in internal attacks, maintaining that the NDC leadership remains intact and united.

Dickson Fires Back at Obi, Kwankwaso Supporters: ‘Stop Running Down NDC