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Elections in Nigeria: Money politics or poverty politics?

Published

6 years ago

on

Nigeria Elections 2023

By Abdulrasaq Hamzat

Ekiti State governorship election was held Saturday and reports of widespread buying and selling of votes were recorded.

Some commissioners, who participated in this process in other States came online to explain how it was done.  They categorized buying and of votes into two. 1. Prepaid 2. See and buy.

According to them, prepaid is a situation in which the voters are paid a night before the election and they are expected to fulfill their own end of the bargain at the polling unit.

This is often adopted because it is not proper to be giving people money at the unit and in a place where people are much.

So, the prepared is adopted to pay for the vote prior to election and the voter fulfill his or her end of the bargain at the unit. The second option is the most disrespectful. See and buy.

This is a situation in which the voter goes to the polling unit, vote for the buyer, show it to the buyers party agent and get paid immediately after dropping it in the box. Case closed.

Alleged credit alert from Ekiti State Government

I have seen many people condemn this situation on social media, but in truth, most of those people are likely going to do the same if they happen to be in the same situation.

People who sold their votes are not foolish.

They made the right decision based on available option and their current situation.

Many of these people have willingly voted for someone before without selling it and they still suffered all through the 4years. Rather than have a better life, things become worse.

So they now reasoned that, if they voted for who they think will do right, but ended up with more suffering while he smiles to the bank, isn’t it better that they also take some cash to at least, enjoy for once? This is a hopeless decision, but a rational one.

For example, many voted for President Buhari without money, but are they living any better today? Did they see the change they voted for?The tendency Is for those sets of people to equally sell their votes in 2019.

The truth of the matter is that, people who has money to buy votes will equally do so to be sure of victory in this unfortunate situation. People can do anything to get what they want.

Just a week earlier, National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) conducted it’s election and the same story of buying and selling of votes were recorded, even in a supposed student union election.

We heard about how NDDC boss gave his candidate over 30 million. We heard about how speaker of federal house of representatives also gave his candidate over N10million.

Just yesterday, information was revealed about how Senate President and Governor of Kwara State also released N15million for the same NANS election. Even the FG was said to have released some millions to another candidate.

This goes to show us that at every point, people who can afford to buy votes will do so and those willing to sell for whatever reason will do so.

Now, come back to NOUN Alumni Association ( NOUNAA) which conducted its convention in December last year.

The candidates also bought votes in a way, isn’t it?

Many delegates were sponsored by some candidates to be qualified to vote.

Many delegates were financed to travel to Abuja by some candidates.

During the campaign for that NOUNAA election, we saw how members were accusing each other of collecting money from one candidate or the other.

This is also buying of votes.

While it is clear that this practice is not the way to go, we must not shy away from asking why it is so.

The answer is poverty.

You can not preach about the future to an hungry man because he his not sure if he will make it to the future, neither is he sure if his children survive from their daily hunger.

Before you can tell a poor man anything, provide him food.

That is his only ticket to survival.

According to a Yoruba proverb, ”if food is removed from poverty, the rest is inconsequential.

With the ability to feed, the poor man his sure of his survival.

So, they prefer to hold the bird at hand, than hope for the hundreds in the bush.

The summary of my message is very simple, what we are seeing is not money politics. Those selling their votes are not doing so just to get money, they are doing so out of poverty, to survive.

If there is life, there is hope.

As aspiring leaders, we must therefore put poverty into consideration while formulating our ideas and strategy.

If we can assure the people of an hunger free nation, nobody will sell their votes.

Culled from Hamzat’s blog post

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GRPolitics

Governor Peter Mbah Signs Multi-million Dollar Joint Venture To Birth Job Opportunities, Promote Sports And Youth Development In Enugu State

Published

4 months ago

on

January 23, 2024

By

The Governor Of Enugu State, Governor Peter Mbah has disclosed a recent deal he signed for the good of the people of Enugu. On his Facebook page he wrote;

“I was delighted to sign a multi-million dollar joint venture agreement with the Del-York Group for “The 042 Arena and Entertainment Park” over the weekend.

The multi-purpose sports and entertainment hub is designed to focus on key areas of development, training, innovation, education, talent discovery, hospitality, and entertainment, among others.

The Sports Arena will on completion feature training facilities, athlete housing, a physical therapy and sports medicine centre, and a performance centre, while the Entertainment Park will have a variety of designs, including screening rooms, stages, amphitheaters; and live, work and play facilities, among others.

It gladdens my heart that investors are now favouring our dear state as a location for businesses and investments. This demonstrates the success of our ceaseless efforts to make Enugu the safest place to live, invest, play sports, and enjoy leisure.

I’m hopeful that this project will create thousands of jobs for Ndi Enugu and also attract more investors and tourists to our state. It will also provide a platform for our young people to showcase their talents, thereby promoting sports and youth development in our state and the entire South-East region.

Many thanks to the CEO of Del-York, Linus Idahosa, who came up with the concept and chose Enugu as the planting soil. My administration will give him and his team all the needed support to flourish.”

Here are pictures from the signing ceremony.

We commend the Governor on this development.

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Governor Peter Mbah Appreciates Dave Umahi Over Swift Response To Work On A Recently collapsed Bridge In Enugu State

Published

8 months ago

on

September 29, 2023

By

Governor Peter Mbah Appreciates The Minister For Works, Dave Umahi Over Swift Response To Work On A Recently collapsed Bridge In Enugu State

The bridge which is on the federal road, had sunk in on Monday.Thank God no casualties were recorded due to the less movements around the area on the it happened.

Here’s what the Governor wrote;

“Yesterday evening, I had the pleasure of welcoming the Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Umahi, to Enugu State. The minister who came to inspect the collapsed bridge between the New Artisan flyover and the Naira Triangle, at the Enugu – Port Harcourt expressway, assured me of its immediate reconstruction.

“He commended me for ameliorating the plights of my people by undertaking to dualise the Enugu State’s part of the Enugu-Abakaliki road, and also assured me that the federal government would expedite the necessary approvals.

“I sincerely appreciate the minister for the prompt response, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for inclusive leadership. This, for us, underscores the president’s commitment to his oath of office.”

Here are pictures from the scene visit

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GRPolitics

PHOTO: Governor Peter Mbah Speaks At 2023 Lagos Chamber Of Commerce And Industry (LCCI)

Published

9 months ago

on

August 29, 2023

By

The Governor of Enugu State, Governor Peter Mbah was one of the guest speakers at the 2023 LCCI. While posting pictures from the conference on his social media page, He wrote;

“Today, I was honoured to stand as Guest of Honour and Speaker on the platform of the 2023 Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) International Business Conference and Expo.

This event underscores our commitment to global partnerships and trade cooperation. From Enugu, I have proudly joined the dialogue that transcends borders.

As we engage in vital conversations, I extend a hand of partnership, inviting stakeholders to explore our nation’s potential. Together, let’s unlock avenues for national growth and prosperity.

In Enugu State, we are open for business; building partnership with the private sector to unlock the capital market, attract investments, and retake our place in the local and global economy.

I’m excited to share with you our state’s abundant investment opportunities and government inventives in agriculture and agro-industry, logistics and aviation, tourism, real estate, mineral resources, information and communication technology (ICT), among others.

We are also de-risking business investment in key sectors by providing access to land, providing support infrastructure, handling engagement with host communities, and facilitating the approval of building permits.

Amid challenges, our resolve for a robust business environment remains unshaken. We are intentionally revisiting our ease of doing business indicators to ensure the environment is conducive for businesses to thrive.

Join me in embracing this momentous stride as we amplify Enugu State’s prominence on the national and world map.”

Here are pictures from the conference.

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