By Muhammad Mamman
Former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Adams Oshiomhole, has described electoral fraud as the most destructive offence in any democratic system, warning that it undermines public trust, fuels instability and erodes the legitimacy of governance.
Oshiomhole made the assertion while speaking at a public forum on democratic governance, where he stressed that manipulating electoral outcomes amounts to stealing the collective will of the people. According to him, democracy can only thrive when elections are transparent, credible and reflect the true choice of voters.
He argued that electoral malpractice does not merely affect political actors but inflicts long-term damage on institutions, weakening citizens’ confidence in leadership and the rule of law. Oshiomhole noted that when elections are compromised, governance loses its moral authority, leaving citizens disengaged and cynical about the political process.
The former Edo State governor called on electoral bodies, security agencies and the judiciary to work collaboratively to safeguard the integrity of elections. He also urged political parties and their supporters to shun violence and unethical practices, emphasising that national interest must outweigh personal or partisan ambition.
Oshiomhole further appealed to Nigerians to remain vigilant and actively participate in the democratic process, insisting that the defence of democracy is a shared responsibility.
“Democracy only has meaning when the people’s votes count,” he said, adding that any attempt to subvert that principle should be treated as a serious crime against the state.
