Jelili Gbadamosi
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) House of Representatives candidate for Ifo/Ewekoro Federal Constituency, Hon. Olumide Akintunde Jones, has condemned vote-buying, urging voters to reject politicians who attempt to use food items and other incentives to influence their electoral decisions.
Jones made the call during an interview on Splash FM, Abeokuta, where he argued that the hardship facing Nigerians should not be exploited by politicians seeking electoral support.
“We don’t need to buy votes. The suffering of the people is enough,” Jones said.
He questioned the practice of using public resources to distribute items such as rice to voters instead of investing the funds in projects that could provide lasting solutions to the challenges confronting communities.
According to him, government resources should be channelled towards critical infrastructure and human development, including roads, schools, healthcare centres, sports, youth development and women empowerment.
The PDP candidate also urged citizens to hold politicians accountable by asking questions about the management and utilisation of public funds.
Jones said effective political representation should be measured by the ability of elected officials to make laws and facilitate projects that improve citizens’ lives rather than by temporary gifts offered during election periods.
He further urged residents to communicate their challenges to their representatives, noting that politicians could not identify every problem affecting their constituencies without regular engagement with the people.
Jones also maintained that lawmakers should focus on legislation that would make life easier for Nigerians, citing road development as an area requiring greater legislative attention.
He appealed to voters in Ifo/Ewekoro Federal Constituency to make their electoral decisions based on candidates’ capacity to deliver meaningful development rather than on immediate material benefits offered during campaigns.
