Political activist and former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Timi Frank, said the recent elections held in Tanzania, Cameroon, and Ivory Coast are “sham exercises” and “a disgrace to the African continent.”
Frank, in a statement on Thursday, said what took place in the three countries were not elections but “selections” marred by manipulation, intimidation, and political terrorism.
He lamented that rather than allowing the will of the people to prevail, incumbent leaders in Africa have continued to impose themselves through fraudulent means.
“These elections are a disgrace and shame to Africa. In this 21st century, the continent should be making democratic progress, but what we see instead is the growing culture of rigging, violence, and oppression,” Frank said.
He urged the international community, including the United Nations, the United States, and the European Union, not to recognise or congratulate the outcomes of such fraudulent elections.
According to him, the global community must take decisive steps to rescue democracy in Africa before the continent slides into chaos.
“If nothing is done, this systematic rigging may soon lead to widespread civil unrest and more coups across the continent.
“The U.S. and EU should impose targeted sanctions on these leaders and their cronies who have destroyed the democratic process in their countries,” he stated.
He further cautioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies ahead of the 2027 general elections, insisting that the polls must not follow the same path of manipulation seen in other African countries.
“Nigeria’s 2027 election must not be business as usual.
“Any attempt to subvert the people’s will be strongly resisted. Nigerians will no longer remain silent,” he warned.
News360 Info reports that recent elections in Tanzania, Cameroon and the Ivory Coast had resulted in political crises in the three states.
