2027: Stop accumulating cash from candidates – Obla tells Idoma folks

Chief Godwin Obla, SAN, has urged the folks of Idoma land to cease accumulating cash from politicians earlier than voting, insisting that electoral decisions ought to be primarily based on competence, efficiency and the power to ship significant improvement.

Obla gave the recommendation on Saturday on the Federal University of Health Sciences Teaching Hospital, Otukpo, FUHSTHO, in Benue State.

He cautioned the voters towards demanding cash from political candidates earlier than casting their votes, saying such follow compromised the integrity of the electoral course of and weakened accountability.

“Stop voting as if your lives do not depend on it. Your lives depend on it. And stop disturbing your children who are competent to give you money before you vote for them. Look at the most competent people and vote for the right people,” he mentioned.

According to him, voters who gather cash from candidates earlier than elections mustn’t anticipate such politicians to stay accountable after profitable as they might contemplate the cash a cost for his or her votes.

“When you ask people for money before you cast your vote in an election, you have compromised the integrity of the process.

“After the election, that particular person would not owe you something; he has paid you. And you cease disturbing the particular person. The particular person must recuperate his or her cash,” Obla added.

The senior advocate also criticised what he described as the tendency of the electorate to prioritise political personalities, party affiliations and campaign promises over measurable achievements.

He urged the people to hold political officeholders accountable by asking what they had built, equipped or contributed to improving the lives of their constituents.

“We have typically spent our vitality on personalities, on political labels and guarantees whereas giving little consideration to what has really modified in folks’s lives.

“We should ask clear questions: What has been built? What has been equipped? What service is reaching the people?

“What drawback has been solved? What establishment has been strengthened? What legacy will stay when the speeches and campaigns are over?” he said.

Obla maintained that leadership should be measured by service and tangible impact rather than political rhetoric, urging the electorate to support individuals who demonstrate commitment to community development.