Published
on August 15, 2022
The Social Democratic Party Gubernatorial candidate in the forthcoming 2023 general elections in Abia State, Apostle Ngozika Gladys Johnson-Ogbuneke, has frowned at financial inducements by the political class to the Nigerian electorates aimed at currying votes or favour during elections.
The SDP standard-bearer made the condemnation following the alleged increase in inducements witnessed during the recently-concluded primary elections conducted by registered political parties across the Nigeria federation.
In a statement issued to newsmen in Umuahia, the Abia capital on Monday, Mrs Johnson-Ogbuneke, reminded the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that as a body saddled with the responsibility of regulating all the activities of registered political parties, it should adopt stringent measures to halt the high rate of vote-buying by unscrupulous politicians during the electioneering processes.
She regretted that the undemocratic practices have continued to hinder the genuine efforts of patriotic Nigerians to bring the dividends of democracy to the doorsteps of the people.
Her words, “these levels of polity whereby gifts are being directly given to the electorates are inducements. They are indirect vote-buying and should be stopped by INEC.
“When the politicians enter into offices, they will then justify their looting of the treasuries to pay back the huge monies which have gone down the drain.
“The vicious circle remains that the citizens, the masses are easily forgotten and they wallow into greater degrees of poverty”.
She maintained that vote-buying practices by the political class must stop to allow the electorates choose those who will work towards enhancing their welfare and improve and deepen economic growth and infrastructural development in all facets of the country.
“These should be stopped and let the masses have the chance and free will to scrutinize the candidates and choose leaders with integrity to serve them”, the party chieftain added.
Continuing, Johnson-Ogbuneke reiterated her political ideologies which hinged on politics with sensibility and carrying the masses along to educate them on good choices in the election of leaders.
“All those enticing the masses with gifts rather than showing their track records of who they are, of what they have done for humanity and what they plan to do when given the votes, all those doing inducement politics should be truly be disqualified”.
Johnson-Ogbuneke, however, reiterated that the time is now to provide responsive leadership to the people of Abia, and entire Nigerians as she further regretted that the country is sickened.
She called on the electorates to vote for credible candidates with development-oriented plans to enhance their welfare and Infrastructural development.
“Abia State deserve better. Nigeria indeed deserves good things. It is sickening watching and reading of such levels of deception. It is enough”.
