…Asks Politicians To Avoid Vote Buying
By Magnus Aluma
The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Enugu East and Isiuzo Federal Constituency of Enugu State, Mr Francis Ejike Okolo has tasked youths in Nigeria to ensure their permanent voter cards are readily available to them, ahead of the forthcoming general elections.
Okolo also urged politicians to shun vote buying in the course of their political campaigns, adding that the electoral process will be at its best if the electorate were allowed to vote according to their conscience.
He said: “We can only avoid a repeat of what happened in the past and what we are currently passing through, if people should vote freely. Let our politicians begin to see elections as a test of their popularity, not inducing people with all sorts of gifts, to elicit their support.”
Mr Okolo, who gave the task during an interview with our correspondent in Enugu, described the Permanent Voter Card as the power of the electorate in a democratic process. He noted that the much-touted clamour for a positive change in governance, can only be achieved when Nigerians massively and conscientiously express their anger at the polls by voting out those who have held the country down over the years.
Okolo said: “I urge our youths who are our tomorrow’s leaders and who are unfortunately the most vulnerable in these bad times, to arm themselves with their PVCs. This is the only way they can change the situation, by voting competent candidates of their choices.”
He promised his constituents quality representation, through aggressive infrastructural development, if he is voted to Nigeria’s House of Representatives.
His areas of concentration will include youth empowerment, good road network, rural electrification, portable water supply and provision of efficient healthcare delivery system, according to him.
The House of Reps candidate noted that of all these, youth empowerment and a reliable pension scheme would be most prioritized, given the vulnerability of the unemployed and the retired class, to the ills of the society.
“I have noticed that these are the major problems our people are currently facing. I sincerely promise that I will ensure that these challenges are tackled, if they give me their mandate to represent them,” he emphasized.
