The Obidient Movement has issued a strong condemnation against the prevalent practice of vote-buying witnessed during Nigeria’s recent by-elections, describing it as a devastating blow to the country’s democratic progress. According to the movement, the electoral exercise was reduced to an open marketplace, where stolen public funds were openly used to buy votes, compromising the true will of the people.
In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Dr. Yanusa Tanko, the movement expressed deep concern that many Nigerians continue to sell their votes for short-term financial gain, despite hopeful expectations of improved governance. This “cash-and-carry” politics, the group warned, is a cycle that must be broken to prevent corruption from further entrenching itself in Nigerian leadership.
The movement highlighted that those who engage in vote trading are effectively mortgaging the future of the country, sacrificing essential public services such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure development. Dr. Tanko’s remarks echoed those of Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, who likened vote-buyers to criminals because their actions perpetuate a corrupt system that steals from the nation’s resources.
To this end, the Obidient Movement called for urgent reforms aimed at increasing transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s political landscape. They urged citizens to resist inducements during elections and to hold politicians accountable for upholding democratic values and good governance.
The movement also stressed the dire consequences Nigeria faces if the trend of vote-buying is not halted—warning of a future marked by joblessness, hunger, and a failing state that will no longer belong to its people.
In the lead-up to the critical 2027 elections, the Obidient Movement reinforced its commitment to mobilizing voters, promoting election transparency, and fostering a political culture rooted in firmness against corruption. Their message is clear: the path to a prosperous Nigeria lies in rejecting the short-sighted temptation of buying and selling votes and demanding leaders who truly represent the people’s interests.
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