The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, discussed the dangers of vote buying in the Nigerian electoral process and how the act erodes the quality of the nation’s democracy and promotes corruption
Obi shared his thoughts on his X page a few days after by-elections were held in 12 states in Nigeria, with reports of rampant vote buying in Anambra state, his home state. He described vote-buying as a calculated investment in corruption and the art of buying power today to plunder natural resources tomorrow.
” By bribing voters today, they are purchasing a licence to plunder tomorrow. And when they get into office, the money meant for schools, hospitals, roads, and jobs is diverted into private pockets,” Obi shared on his X page.
The ex-Anambra governor informed Nigerian citizens who sell their votes of the true damage such an act does to the future of Nigeria. He stated that citizens who sell their votes are not innocent and are part of the problem. He echoed that citizens selling votes are selling away schools, hospitals, and jobs that could have been created for them, mortgaging their future for a token.
Obi argued that the fact that desperate politicians are willing to spend millions to purchase votes on the election day means that the votes are priceless, and Nigerian citizens should value the power the art of voting gives them. He stated that the choice to turn a new leaf lies solely in the feet of Nigerians.
Read Also: Peter Obi Pinpoints Leadership Failure as Nigeria’s Greatest Burden
The Labour party stalwart maintained that it is either the citizens continue to sell their votes and enthrone bad leadership, or they choose to rise above temporary gain and reclaim the future of the country.
The by-election in Anambra state was marred by allegations of vote-buying from the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). The ruling party secured critical positions in the state, with the most significant being the Anambra South Senatorial Seat position.
Governor Chukwuma Soludo extended his appreciation to Ndi Anambra for the newly earned mandate, promising that the APGA candidates will deliver the dividends of democracy and carry the people along.
.
