The Independent National Electoral Commission has called for more collaboration among all stakeholders to tackle electoral fraud in future elections across Nigeria. INEC recently blasted the increasing violence regularly witnessed before and on election day.
Speaking during a chat with journalists, the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Osun State, Mutiu Agboke, questioned the roles played by the media and security agencies during elections.
According to him, key electoral players need to step up to their responsibilities and do the needful for the advancement of Nigeria’s democracy.
He stated that vital stakeholders like the media must take the lead in voter education and enlighten the public on the electoral process.
“So, for us (INEC), we will continue to campaign against the cankerworm of trying to buy the minds of the people. That’s number one. Number two, even if you have the money, people still believe they can deploy violence to gain an advantage.
There is nothing you can do to curb it other than to continue engaging stakeholders and discouraging them from unleashing terror. We need to continue talking to our people to believe in democracy.
Let me tell you, in the whole world, there is no government that is better for the electorate, for the masses, than a democratic government. And the only process by which someone can attain this democratic position is through elections. We must all find solutions to any impediment,” he said.
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He further noted that INEC alone cannot decrease or get rid of the menace of electoral malpractice, stressing that the people’s conscience must be sanitized.
Mutiu Agboke concluded by saying that despite the widespread poverty in the land, the selling of votes will only lead to a more depressing future.
“All other stakeholders—the media, civil society organisations, the political class, especially the political class—we must engage them. Let them understand that you don’t need money to buy people’s conscience.
Our people’s conscience must be addressed. Let’s talk to them. I know poverty is widespread. I know deprivation exists everywhere. But when they bring money, tell them you don’t need their money to vote. Your conscience should determine the direction of your vote. For me, the conversation is a continuous one—you cannot stop that.
We have spoken. After INEC, invite the Commissioner of Police, the Inter-Party Advisory Council, principal CSOs, religious leaders—Christians and Muslims—let them come and explain the roles they are playing. We should not just stay in mosques or churches.
These are the things we want to hear. Call the political parties, call the politicians. They are the beneficiaries of all these efforts we are making. Politicians are the ones who benefit the most,” he added.
