Chinedum Elekwachi
Anglican Bishop of Ihiala Diocese,Anambra, Rt Rev Israel Okoye has cautioned politicians against taking advantage of voters’ vulnerability to exploit them during elections.
He warned them to desist from such acts or face the repercussions.
He spoke during his presidential charge at the third session of the fifth Synod of the Diocese, themed, “Fear Not”.
The Bishop lamented what he described as “use and dump” attitude of politicians with the desperate electorate.
He insisted that advancing state of poverty, unemployment, parochial chauvinism and frustration via the electoral process remained ill-wind that blows no good to anyone.
He however, urged politicians to insist on issue-based electioneering campaigns as they shun hypocritical heroic songs.
“Preparations for the election of the governor of Anambra on Nov.8 are on course.
“In democracies, election periods provide electorate the opportunity to interact with prospective electoral candidates with a view to assessing their manifesto.
“It helps ascertain the candidates that are better equipped to advance the course of development in the interest of the citizens.
“Unfortunately, the strategy of populating campaign venues with a rented crowd, preparatory to paying for their votes is rife.
“Desperate politicians and their allies exploit the widespread unemployment and hunger in the land.
“They turn vulnerable voters into political objects—buying, using, and discarding them once the election ends.
“In fact, this is a deliberate dehumanization of vulnerable citizens.
“People who sell their votes for a small sum have become political toys in the hands of politicians.
“To such people, they do not sincerely care if their votes count or not.
“We urge all the candidates to be issue-based in their electioneering campaigns.
“All those singing hypocritical heroic songs in favour of politicians do so at the expense of the wellbeing of the people.
“It is an ill-wind advancing the state of poverty, unemployment, parochial chauvinism and frustration via the electoral process.
Charge to Candidates
“We, therefore, urge candidates, their political allies and those that have turned either their voters’ cards or public offices into commodities for the highest bidder to be mindful of the repercussions of their debased actions.
“No sensible person can afford to supervise his own liquidation.
“Nov.8 is the date for the choice of the tomorrow we yearn for in Anambra State.
“We have the option of going for the best at our disposal, based on our rational assessment, or we go for contraction with woes.
“God forbid that we shall allow whatever pittances that characterize electoral campaigns to rob us of a brighter future.”
