The Ekiti State Chapter of the National Progressive Youth Forum of Nigeria (NPYFN) has condemned the practice of Nigerian politicians giving financial inducement to electorates during elections in the country, describing it as illegal and an aberration.

This disclosure was made at the State chapter’s NPYFN programme which was held recently. The programme which was tagged “Ekiti Youth 2018 Pathway to Liberation” was organised to discuss issues affecting politics and democracy in Nigerian as well as how youths can assist in ensuring growth and development in the country.

According to the communiqué signed by the Communiqué drafting chairman, Comrade Ojo Adebayo Sunday and made available to CEOAfrica, the Speaker of the occasion, Dr. Kayode Arogundade expounded on the problems of financial inducement in Nigeria Politics. He said; “inducement in Nigeria politics is an aberration and a bane to Nigeria growth in all aspect, and a ride on the core essence of true democracy.”

While highlighting the challenges of financial inducement in Nigerian politics, the participants of the discussion agreed that the despicable practice has come to stay in Nigeria political arena. They noted that the practice of politicians offering monetary and material inducement to electorates in order to buy their votes has been going on for a long time but has become more pronounced in present times.

The discussants decried the fact that the requirement for electing political leaders is no longer premised on the constructive manifestoes and political party ideology but financial offer. They stated that the question directed to political aspirant by the electorate is no longer in challenging areas of unemployment, poverty eradication, provision of social amenities e.t.c, but what material benefit can be obtained.

Having discussed the effects of financial inducement to Nigerian developments, participants enumerated the ways the practice can be stopped. According to them, “Inducement can only be prevented and stopped through mass mobilization against anti-government policies melted on the masses. These can be achieved through self-sensitization and orientation programmes against unequal employment opportunities, government empowerment programmes and policies.”

Speaking on the roles of youth in the restoration of excellent standard in Nigerian politics, the participants said “Youth should be ready and prepared to key into the sensitization exercise in ensuring positive management and administration of the country as expected future leaders.”

The discussants also stated that “The Nigeria legal and judicial officers should be awaken on the proper execution  and implementation of Nigeria laws that forbid inducement as a product of bribery and corruption that affect Nigerian public life negatively.

“The political system should be sanitized to ensure that public interest is not compromised to favour political crooks, criminals and money launderers with adequate checks on individual income and wealth accumulation. Electorates need to be sensitized on the need not to accept money and vote against their conscience as it undermines Nigeria’s growth in all spheres,” they stressed.