The governorship candidate of the Action Alliance (AA) in the upcoming Anambra gubernatorial election, Ozo Jeff Nweke, has warned the electorate against selling their votes
Speaking during a Thanksgiving service at Hear the Word of God Church International, Nkwelle, Awka, Nweke
emphasized that vote trading undermines democracy and hinders development.
Nweke decried the widespread practice of vote buying, describing it as the root cause of bad governance in Nigeria.
“Selling your vote is essentially trading away your future. It is one of the main reasons elected officials neglect their responsibility to provide social amenities after elections,” Nweke said.
The governorship candidate stressed that any money spent by politicians to secure votes will inevitably be recovered at the expense of the public, warning that citizens who accept such inducements lose the moral right to hold leaders accountable.
“If you accept N1 million today just to vote for a candidate, you may feel momentarily happy, but that satisfaction is fleeting. You’ve just sold your right to demand good roads, healthcare, and quality education for the next four years,” he stated.
According to Nweke, vote buying directly compromises the electorate’s ability to demand infrastructure, public services, and social security.
“When you take that money, you’ve essentially collected your own share of the social infrastructure fund in advance. So when hospitals are understaffed, schools are dilapidated, and roads are impassable, you bear part of the blame,” he added.
He urged Anambra voters to resist the lure of money politics and instead vote their conscience, emphasizing that politics should be about service to humanity, not personal gain.
Nweke also cautioned that any wrong decision made during the November 8th gubernatorial election would set the state backward.
“This is a defining moment. A wrong decision in this election will cost us years of progress. Let’s choose leaders who are competent, credible, and committed to public service,” he urged.
The AA candidate also appealed to fellow politicians to avoid the use of hate speech, insults, or derogatory language during the campaign season.
“Politics should not be a platform for hate or character assassination. Words that demean others only erode our collective values and can incite violence. Let’s focus on ideas and policies,” he said.
Nweke emphasized that electoral violence and thuggery can be prevented if politicians and their supporters maintain civility and mutual respect.
He also called on the church to remain prayerful and supportive of righteous governance, urging Christians to be active participants in politics and elections.
“Christians should vote based on values and character. We must rise and take part in the political process if we truly want change. You cannot correct a system from the outside,” he advised.
