Newsonline reports that the governorship candidate of the Accord Party (AP) in Rivers State, Dumo Lulu-Briggs, has accused the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike of planning to engage in vote buying ahead of the 2023 general elections.
According to Lulu-Briggs, Wike’s recent appointment of 100,000 special advisers from various polling units in the state was a vote-buying strategy, adding that he shouldn’t try to hide under the guise of political appointments.
This online media platform gathered that the Rivers State AP governorship candidate has, as a result, called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to investigate what he alleged to be vote buying ahead of the 2023 general election.
He requested that INEC look into the matter in accordance with the Electoral Act, which, he said, would give Rivers people a fair opportunity to vote for candidates of their choice in the 2023 general election.
Lulu-Briggs, however, challenged Wike to be honest about the appointments and convert them to civil servant jobs to reduce the poverty level in the state rather than giving political appointments to be paid with Rivers’ money.
He noted that “It is clear that the 100,000 special assistants and unit advisers across the 23 councils cannot be described differently from vote buying. You want to give your party a head start and you are already paying money across the units.
“A hundred thousand persons you pay with state resources is an added advantage. Such is not done. We should create a level-playing field. Give Rivers people the opportunity to choose the man or woman they will want to govern them. They deserve that because they have been through a lot as a people.
“I think this is a matter the INEC should take on. And probably sanction the PDP. Obviously, they are getting an advantage. If they do not have a popular candidate, it is unfortunate because it is their choice to decide whom to present. So, when you present someone, you should allow Rivers people to decide and not give yourself 100,000 votes before elections.”
Former President Obasanjo has blasted Tinubu for making Nigeria a failing state under him. …
The black market dollar to Naira exchange rate on Sunday 17th November 2024 can be…
INEC has uploaded 98.32% of Ondo Election Results on the IRev Portal. NewsOnline Nigeria…
Governor Aiyedatiwa is coasting to victory with a massive lead in the Ondo State Governorship…
Ondo Governorship Election Results from Local Government Areas. NewsOnline Nigeria reports that the Independent…
PDP Candidate Ajayi has recorded the first victory in the ongoing Ondo Governorship election. …