A prominent chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and House of Representatives candidate for Nnewi North, Nnewi South and Ekwusigo Federal Constituency, Kingsley Chibuike Obiukwu, has stated that vote buying and selling have severely undermined Nigeria's democracy. He argued that this practice has replaced issue-based politics with transactional corruption, leading to the election of incompetent leaders who divert public resources away from education, healthcare, and infrastructure.
Vote Buying Undermines Democratic Foundation
Speaking with Legit.ng on Saturday, June 13, in Nnewi during an engagement with political stakeholders, Obiukwu warned that vote buying damages Nigeria's future. He emphasized that the country's democratic foundation is not built on solid ground and called for a return to the drawing board to make necessary adjustments.
He said: "What I'm saying about Nigeria today is that the country's democratic foundation is not built on solid ground. We must go back to the drawing board to figure out where we got it wrong, and to make necessary adjustments so that our building - the country called Nigeria - does not fall. We must solidify our foundation."
Lawyer-Politician Seeks Functional Society Rooted in Accountability
Obiukwu, a lawyer and politician, said he is running for the House of Representatives to help make Nigeria's democratic foundation strong again. He assured that he does not make empty promises but aims to build a functional society where people understand the difference between right and wrong and embrace accountability.
He added: "In Nigeria today, nobody has an understanding of what proper accountability entails. We must build a society where people understand that they should be accountable for their actions. We want to build a society where our young ones can get quality education, because, truly, the future depends on the young ones. We shall build a society where men and women will finish school and become gainfully employed - a society where we can have adequate infrastructure in place, and where we can create a conducive environment for businesses to thrive."
ADC Candidate Links Vote Buying to Poverty
Obiukwu further warned that vote-selling betrays the future of children and unborn generations. He urged Nigerians to think about these issues before casting their votes in 2027. He stated: "Think about these issues before you cast your votes in 2027. Think about your future and that of your children. As fathers and guardians, we've used our hands to close the doors against the younger generations. But we must stop this practice. Parents must prioritize the future of their children."
He noted that politicians who buy votes view public office as a business investment rather than a duty, leading to widespread corruption and lack of accountability. Credible and visionary leaders without massive financial resources are routinely pushed out, prioritizing the highest bidder over character and capacity. For citizens who trade their votes for monetary gains, this practice does not translate to better living conditions but breeds disappointment through corruption, chronic underfunding for public amenities, and leaves millions of youths without quality education or employable skills.
Obi Outlines Dialogue Plan for Agitators if Elected
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Peter Obi, the 2027 presidential candidate of the NDC, said he would prioritize dialogue and engagement with agitators, including Nnamdi Kanu, rather than prolonged detention or confrontation. Speaking in Washington DC, he argued that expressing opinions should not be treated as a criminal offense and that grievances should be addressed through consultation and conversation to promote national stability.
