September 06, (THEWILL) – The immediate past Chief of Staff to His Excellency, Senator (Prof) Ben Ayade, Governor of Cross River State, Hon. Martin Orim, has condemned the rising incidence of vote buying in the country’s electoral process.
Hon. Orim made this known in a release, made available by Beatrice Akpala, the Senior Special Adviser to the governor on Communication and Advocacy.
He contended that vote buying deprives the electorate of actually voting for the candidates of their choice and it is desperation that leads politicians to engage in all kinds of unethical practices.
In his words, “People must be allowed to make their choices, the ugly trend of vote buying deprives the electorate of actually voting for the candidates of their choice.
“After collecting money, their conscience are compromised already and it is just desperation that leads politicians to engage in all kinds of unethical practices.
“A leader should be chosen by the people via a true and transparent process, where candidates really know and test their popularity”, he said.
He added that he hopes the BVAS will change the system of electoral malpractices.
He also promised to do everything within his powers to halt political thuggery and hooliganism in Cross River North, as one of the critical stakeholders, in order to end all animosities among the political class.
He described his party, the APC, as a credible political party that should be supported by all and urged all eligible voters to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards in order to vote in the elections come 2023.
He also disclosed that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), is doing everything possible within the purview of the law to de-emphasise thuggery and all forms of criminality in our electoral system.
He called on the electorate to be more vigilant, as the general elections approaches and never allow themselves to be hoodwinked by anybody in the opposition party masquerading as a political messiah.
About the Author
THEWILL Correspondent, Aniekan Bassey has over six years experience that spans across several fields in print journalism including development communication, sexual reproductive and health rights issues, crime, climate change, social justice, business and human interest stories.
