The politics of mammon

The local government and gubernatorial elections coming up in Anambra State in October 5 and November 16 respectively have increased the tempo of political activities in the state. For 13 clear years, Anambra local government administration has been running on caretaker committee arrangement.

Politically speaking, the state has been volatile owing to involvement of too much money in the electioneering process. Before Peter Obi stepped into office in 2006 as governor, the story of politics in the state had been that of godfatherism. Moneybags dictated the direction, pace and tempo of political activities. Major political parties are trying to officially return the state to the ugly past through the imposition of cut-throat non-refundable fees for the expression of interest and nomination forms for the gubernatorial election.

Those who purchased the expression of interest and nomination forms of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), except a few women among them, paid between N11 and N12million depending on the party they belong. This gives an impression that the position is for sale to money bags only. And it therefore, means that the parties are saying that gubernatorial aspiration is a business project, and not for the sake of service.

We refer to section 91 (3) of the Electoral Act 2010 (amended) which provides that “The maximum election expenses to be incurred by a candidate at a governorship election shall be two hundred million naira (N200, 000,000).” Though section 91 (8) of the Electoral Act excludes pre-nomination expenses from the N200million ceiling, it is an open secret that a lot of money is also being paid “nocturnally” by aspirants to get the ears of power brokers in their individual parties.

The wrong impression being created is that only moneybags or those they bankroll can win elections in Nigeria. But Nigeria is blessed with intelligent and conscientious men and women of moderate means, who may even have the solution to the nation’s myriad of problems. We doubt if parties that explicitly and flagrantly go contrary to the guidelines will still muster the moral fibre to check malfeasance by an aspirant if he/she eventually gets into office.

It must be emphasized tha the primary essence of seeking public office is for service, and once this is compromised the people are left in the cold.

In the last seven years, Anambra State has been peaceful to a large extent. We ask that all stakeholders must be committed to maintaining the peace before, during and after the elections. Moreover, efforts must be made by the parties to provide a blue print on how to take the state to greater heights. All aspirants and their parties must play by the rule. We, therefore, urge tolerance and peaceful conduct of all the aspirants and their parties throughout the processes.

We equally urge the electorate to weigh properly the implications of accepting bribes, in whatever guise, from aspirants during this period of electioneering. Determination must be made to vote for the most credible of the aspirants for good governance, the good of Anambra state and the credible growth of our democracy.