Politics
Ondo Decides: Obi warns against vote trading, advocates for transparent elections
Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, in a passionate appeal on Monday, urged the people of Ondo State to reject vote trading in the upcoming governorship election.
Speaking at the LP’s campaign rally in Akure, Ondo State capital, Obi expressed deep concern over the state of democracy in Nigeria, labeling it “transitional politics.”
“We know democracy is suffering in Nigeria; we know they’ve turned democracy into transitional politics, but we still insist that we continue to campaign and tell Nigerians that this is time to start building a new Nigeria,” Obi emphasized. He envisioned a Nigeria where every child has equal opportunities, poverty is eradicated, and essential services like education and healthcare are accessible to all.
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Obi’s message was clear: Nigerians must resist the temptation of vote buying, as it perpetuates corruption and undermines the country’s progress. “We don’t want people to give us money that they’ve stolen from us, and thereafter, they continue to steal more. We want to stop the stealing and start the rebuilding,” he declared.
Vote buying has long been a scourge on Nigeria’s democracy. The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Ondo State has previously expressed concerns over the increasing incident of vote buying during elections.
CAN chairman, John Ayo Oladapo, described vote buying as a threat to the nation’s democracy, urging citizens to be conscientious and vote for candidates of their choice.
As Ondo State prepares for its governorship election, Obi’s words serve as a rallying cry for citizens to reclaim their democracy. By rejecting vote trading and embracing transparency, Nigerians can build a brighter future for themselves and generations to come.
“We want to move this country from consumption to production so we can create jobs. That’s why we are here campaigning,” Obi concluded.
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