…By Lola Smith for TDPel Media.
The National Director of Publicity and Advocacy of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, accused state governors who lobbied for Bola Tinubu’s presidency in Nigeria of doing so for personal gain.
He made this statement during a one-day colloquium organized by the Democratic Watch Initiative in Kaduna.
Politicians Driven by Self-Interest: Concerns Raised over Bribery and Voting Patterns in 2023 Elections
Dr Baba-Ahmed expressed his concern over the behavior of politicians during the recent general elections.
He revealed that the NEF had interacted with many politicians and found that most of them were solely focused on their personal interests rather than the needs of the electorate.
He highlighted the issue of citizens being bribed to vote against their conscience, leading to voting patterns based on tribal and religious affiliations.
Governors’ Personal Ambitions Exposed: Lobbying for Tinubu’s Presidency for Ministerial Positions
The NEF official further disclosed that some governors who approached President Muhammadu Buhari to lobby for Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s presidency did so with their personal ambitions in mind.
Their aim was not to prioritize the interests of the northern region but rather to secure ministerial positions for themselves.
Dr Baba-Ahmed noted that these governors had already begun positioning themselves for appointments in the new government.
Questioning the Integrity of Election Results: Inducements, Lack of Education, and Regional Understanding
Raising doubts about the integrity of the election results, Dr Baba-Ahmed questioned whether people voted based on inducements, such as receiving rice, money, or other food items.
He also questioned whether voters were adequately educated to choose the most qualified candidate who would work for the common good.
Additionally, he highlighted the importance of considering candidates’ understanding of the specific region, whether northern or southern.
NEF Calls for Respect of Elected Legislators’ Autonomy in Key Positions
Addressing the controversies surrounding key positions in the 10th National Assembly, the NEF emphasized that individuals and groups lobbying for positions on behalf of northern legislators should allow the elected representatives to decide among themselves who will assume leadership roles.
Setting the Agenda for Equity and Development: Colloquium Aims for Fairness and Justice
The convener of the event, Nasir Danbatta, explained that the purpose of the one-day program was to establish an agenda for the incoming government.
The aim was to promote equity, fairness, and justice in dealing with Nigerians for the overall development of the country.