“Stop Campaigning, Just Bring Money and Buy Votes” — SDP Candidate Speaks Out
The chairmanship candidate for the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) under the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Obinna Simon has raised a heavy alarm over the current state of Nigeria’s electoral process.
Commonly known as MC Tagwaye, the candidate expressed deep frustration during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Saturday.
He suggested that the traditional methods of winning elections through grassroots engagement and policy discussion have been overshadowed by the power of the purse.
Tagwaye argued that the resources spent on political consultations and public campaigns appear to be a waste in an environment where the highest bidder often takes the day.
He noted that the influence of money has become so dominant that candidates might as well ignore the electorate until the very moment of voting.
Addressing the futility of early preparations, he said: “Why spend money campaigning, consulting? Just keep your money. When it’s election day, bring out your money and buy votes.”
The SDP candidate further questioned the authenticity of the nation’s democratic journey. He lamented that the system no longer reflects the true will of the people, as the lines between a fair contest and a pre-determined outcome continue to blur.
Voicing his concerns over the integrity of the polls, Tagwaye added: “As it stands right now, I don’t know what we have if it’s democracy or selection.”
His remarks come amid growing concerns by stakeholders and civil society organizations regarding the prevalence of vote-trading in the recent FCT elections.
For Tagwaye, the shift toward a “cash-and-carry” system poses a direct threat to the development of the Abuja Municipal Area Council and the country at large.
