Former National Chairman of Labour Party (LP) Chief Dan Iwuanyanwu, has decried the rate at which politicians now result to vote buying during election, saying that such practice might rise up to N5000 per voter in 2019 general elections.
Barrister Iwuanyawu, however warned Nigerian voters not to think the politicians are using their monies for this act but public fund.
Speaking at the weekend in Abuja during the unveiling and investiture of a new association, Righteousness In Leadership Initiative (RILIN), the former LP boss said what has brought Nigera into where she is now was because there wasas no righteousness in governance.
“In Nigetia today unfortunately most people have been made poor because of lack of righteousness by those they elected to govern their affairs.
“They are keeping that money and on the election days next year it will get to N5000 per vote as we witnessed recently in Anambra, a party paid N2000, and I want to be quoted, another one paid N5000, areas per N20,000. A particular political party paid N2000 in an area there was a governorship candidate so that he would take their votes, that is lack of righteousness. There is no God in that calculation. You will have no reason to ask for good governance, after all they bought the votes not with their money but with your money.
“So this initiative is coming at a time that if you market it very well it may touch the hearts of
most Nigerians. I am one of the believers, if not a proponent of the fact that there must be some moral content in politics.
“Politics in Nigeria has no moral content. It is in Nigeria that politicians will agree on what to do and they went to bed at 4am but the next morning at 8am, by the ti e you get there you will discover that most of them have changed position without getting back to you on that agreement. And non has nothing to do with the people of the country.”
He, however expressed confidence that the initiative will bring about transparency, openness, accountability and good governance, “as we are in Nigeria today if we have God in governance, in our body politics Nigerians will not be suffering the way they are suffering.”
Speaking about the vision and mandate of the group, Board of Trustees chairman of the group, Pastor Ifiok Sylvester Effiong, said the organisation will act as a platform for generational shift, where God fearing leaders with morality and integrity will be trained, equipped and unleashed on the nation.
“As crusaders of anti corruption, we will ensure that the message of Godly contentment resonate among Nigerians. It is time for some corrupt few among us to jettison stealing and plundering of public funds that is meant for the common good of the generality of Nigerians,” he stated.
