Voters vs. Vote Counters: The Reality of Elections

In the article, Wole Olaoye critiques the electoral process, emphasizing that voters have little power compared to vote counters. He references historical figures like Mark Twain and Joseph Stalin to illustrate that the act of voting does not equate to actual decision-making.

The piece discusses Nigeria's political landscape, particularly during President Obasanjo's tenure, where he reportedly received 1.36 million votes out of 1.5 million cast in Ogun State, raising concerns about electoral integrity. Olaoye draws parallels with historical events, such as the prolonged papal conclave in Viterbo and the electoral fraud in Liberia under President Charles D.B.

King, who won with a staggering 234,000 votes against 9,000 for his opponent. The article underscores the recurring theme of electoral manipulation and the challenges of achieving genuine democracy in Nigeria and beyond.