Chief Godwin Obla, SAN, has called on residents of Idoma land to reject vote-buying and choose political leaders on the basis of competence, records in office and their capacity to deliver lasting development.
Speaking on Saturday at the Federal University of Health Sciences Teaching Hospital, Otukpo, in Benue State, Obla said voters should not demand cash from candidates as a condition for electoral support. He argued that accepting money before an election damages the credibility of the voting process and makes it harder to hold elected officials responsible afterwards.
“Do not vote as though your survival is unrelated to the outcome. It is directly connected to it,” he said. “And do not pressure your capable children to give you money before you support them at the polls. Identify the most qualified people and elect the right candidates.”
Obla said politicians who distribute money ahead of elections may view those payments as compensation for votes, rather than as an obligation to serve constituents after taking office.
“Once you request money from someone before voting in an election, you have damaged the integrity of that election,” he said. “Afterward, that person may believe he or she owes you nothing because payment has already been made. You will no longer challenge the person, while the winner may focus on recovering the money spent.”
The senior advocate also criticised voters for placing too much emphasis on individual political figures, party identities and campaign pledges instead of examining concrete results. He said citizens should demand evidence of what officeholders have built, funded, equipped or done to improve living conditions in their communities.
“Too often, our attention has gone to personalities, political platforms and promises, with insufficient focus on what has truly improved in the lives of the people,” Obla said. “We must ask direct questions: What has been constructed? What has been equipped? Which services are reaching citizens? What challenge has been addressed? What institution has been reinforced? What enduring legacy will remain once the speeches and campaigns have ended?”
He said public leadership should be judged by service delivery and visible results rather than political language, urging the electorate to back candidates with a demonstrated commitment to local development.
