Monetary politics have apparently become a tolerated phenomenon in the Nigerian political sphere. Maybe money is part of the concomitant repercussion of high degree of poverty devastating the land. Maybe it is the consecution of greed on the part of an average Nigerian conceded that our state of affairs presents a fragile correspondence with that of an extremely poor state in certain respect.
I doubt if our political space which have become subservient to money will once more produce credible leaders with undaunted charisma as in our early days as a nation.
I doubt if a common man devoid of godfather(s) that never sleeps or a non money-bag can ever win the ticket of our big political parties, let alone of win an election.
The recently concluded APC and PDP primary elections in Kogi state is a testimony to how money and godfatherism has come to be the major determinant of elections in Nigeria.
The APC primary election is one which has already been predetermined by various factors ranging from the illegal disqualification of aspirants all in a bid to clear the coast for the incumbent, to the alleged already written name of the incumbent on ballot papers.
Delegates were said to have refused entering the convention ground thus chanting, “pay before voting.”
All these was made possible as a result of the Ghana-must-go bags the party leaders were gifted from the incumbent. I will unapologetically assert that the ticket was clinched as a result of what was offered to the delegates.
While the APC, against the wishes of Kogites presented Governor Yahaya Bello as their standard bearer, all focus was shifted to the shambolic PDP primary where vote buying took the centre stage.
Alleged gifting of brown envelopes containing a minimum of one hundred and eighty thousand Naira to three hundred thousand Naira and also a motorcycle to delegates who vote for an aspirant’s candidature.
These were the pathetic occurrences that has come to be characterized as part of our political culture. The just concluded primary elections witnessed situations where delegates sold out their votes and consciences in exchange for money or material things as the case may be which is to the detriment of the masses. Mode of voting based on meritocracy and patriotism was totally shunned in favour of the highest bidder.
Aspirants invest heavily prior to elections in order to enjoy the goodwill of the electorates as evidence in the Kogi state gubernatorial primary elections of the ruling and the major opposition party, upon assumption of office, they set about recouping what was invested in addition with its interests all at the detriment of the development of the state and welfare of her people.
Politics of the highest bidder is a terrifying reality that has caused a drastic relapse in our national life. It is a lethal antisocial monster that must be allowed to see the light of the coming days in our political life and democracy, hence, it will spell a total end to transparency and accountability in government as individuals will see politics as a business venture and not an avenue to make a contributions which will bring about a positive change towards the future development of our country.
– Adeyemi Babarinde Sunday writes from Odo Ere, Kogi State.
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