By Juliana Nwachukwu
The Civil Liberties Organization (CLO), Anambra State Branch, has raised alarm over the growing monetisation and commercialisation of elections, describing the trend as one of the greatest threats to democracy in Nigeria.
The organisation made the declaration during its half-year press briefing in Awka, where it called on Nigerians to reject vote buying and selling and elect leaders based on character, competence, integrity and capacity.
In a statement signed by Comrades Vincent Ezekwueme, Chidi Mbah and Damian Ogudike, and supported by other members of the organisation, CLO urged citizens to “play politics of morality” and vote according to their conscience and conviction rather than monetary inducements, tribal, religious or clan considerations.
CLO lamented that money increasingly determines electoral outcomes instead of popularity, acceptability, character, competence and commitment to public service.
The group also urged security agencies to take proactive measures during elections by arresting and prosecuting individuals involved in offering or accepting electoral bribes.
According to CLO, Nigeria’s democracy can only thrive when citizens and political actors embrace justice, equity, patriotism, good conscience and morality, while electing leaders genuinely committed to the welfare of the people.
The organisation further appealed to citizens to come out en masse, cast their votes and protect their votes throughout the electoral process.
CLO also renewed its call on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to extend the Continuous Voter Registration exercise and create additional electoral wards and polling units in Anambra State to improve citizens’ access to the electoral process.
Juliana Nwachukwu is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation Anambra State
