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By Madu Obi
The leader of the Labour Party caucus of the House of Representatives, Hon. Afam Ogene, has said that the recent victory by the opposition Labour Party in the United Kingdom is a tonic for action for the Labour Party in Nigeria in the 2027 general elections.
He congratulated Keir Starmer, the leader of the Labour Party in Britain, for his party's victory over the outgoing UK's Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak and his Conservative Party, in what has been described as the most emphatic election victory by any British political party this century.
The U.K.'s opposition Labour Party won a huge parliamentary majority in the country's general election, unseating the incumbent Conservatives after 14 years in control. While the Labour Party got 412 seats, the incumbent Conservatives got 121.
Ogene, who represents Ogbaru federal constituency of Anambra State, said this unblemished electoral victory by the Labour Party in the UK, was not only a victory for the opposition party in Britain, but that of all believers in democratic transparency and integrity of the electoral process.
Ogene said: "The election tells vivid tales of hope for the opposition, competence and integrity of the electoral umpires in the UK, in a manner that elicits public confidence and trust in the electoral process.
Unlike what was witnessed in Nigeria in the last general elections, the process in UK was free of glitches, as about 40 million voters took part, polls closed around 10 pm Thursday and by daybreak, the results were out; there was no judicial ambush, as immediate transition took place to the admiration of all lovers of democracy and free and fair elections.
If we must practice democracy, we must also love, copy and abide by the transparency and accountability of democratic institutions in nations of the world that allow the rule of law and democratic principles to thrive.
In deed, one of the potent lessons of the British elections is the fact that, the concept of 'snatch it, grab it, and run away with it,' has no place in modern democratic practice.
The UK's electoral process stands in stark contrast to our recent experience in Nigeria. The smooth, swift, and transparent election in the UK is a shining example for our electoral umpires, INEC, to emulate. The British Labour Party's victory inspires hope and optimism, demonstrating that positive change is possible when people come together with a unified objective.
I urge the Nigerian Labour Party to draw inspiration from our British counterparts, close ranks, rally the people, and prepare to take the reins of power in 2027. Let us work together to build a better future for our nation, guided by the principles of democracy, transparency, and accountability."
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