Political activist and former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has condemned recent elections held in Tanzania, Cameroon, and Ivory Coast, describing them as “sham exercises” and “a disgrace to the African continent.”
Frank said what took place in the three countries were not elections but “selections” allegedly 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,” he warned.
Frank, who is the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) Ambassador to East Africa and Middle East, also called on the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate and hold accountable the leaders of Tanzania, Cameroon, and Ivory Coast for electoral violence and the loss of lives during the recent polls.
“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.
The outspoken activist decried what he called the greed and corruption of African leaders, saying they have abandoned the vision of the continent’s founding fathers like Kwame Nkrumah, Julius Nyerere, Nelson Mandela, Thomas Sankara, Patrice Lumumba, Modibo Keita and Haile Selassie, among other founding fathers.
“The Africa we see today is not the one our heroes fought for.
“The dream of unity, one currency, and one passport has been replaced by selfishness and deceit.
“With these corrupt and greedy leaders, the vision of our founding fathers cannot be achieved,” he said.
Frank further urged African youths not to back down in defending democracy and their right to vote.
“Those who have died defending their votes are heroes. The young generation must continue to resist oppression and stand for justice,” he added.
He also urged the international community to pay attention to the unfolding situation in Tanzania, where citizens have been protesting against a compromised electoral process.
“The people are aggrieved because they know the election was rigged even before the announcement of results. The world must act now,” Frank said.
Turning to Nigeria, Frank 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 will be strongly resisted. Nigerians will no longer remain silent,” he warned.
