The just concluded general elections in Nigeria has generated a lot of controversies, especially with regards to the credibility of the results being released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Senator Shehu Sani, who represents Kaduna Central in the Nigerian Senate, has raised an alarm via his Twitter handle, accusing some Northerners of accepting food items in exchange for their votes.
According to the Senator, some communities in the North West, which have been ravaged by terrorists and bandits, were bought over with packets of spaghetti and noodles in the absence of cash. He claimed that the people literally ate their freedom by accepting these food items, rather than insisting on cash payments from politicians.
This accusation, if true, is a sad commentary on the state of politics and governance in Nigeria. It highlights the desperation of politicians to win elections at all costs, and the vulnerability of the masses who are often left with little or no choice in the face of poverty and deprivation.
It is not uncommon for politicians in Nigeria to use food items and other material gifts to buy the votes of the electorate, especially in rural areas where poverty is rife. This is a clear violation of electoral laws and a betrayal of the trust that the people have in their leaders.
It is imperative that the electoral commission and other relevant authorities investigate these allegations and take appropriate action against anyone found culpable of vote-buying. In addition, Nigerians must learn to resist the temptation of selling their votes for a bowl of noodles or any other form of inducement. Only then can we truly have free and fair elections that reflect the will of the people.
The allegation made by Senator Shehu Sani is a wake-up call to all Nigerians, especially the political class, to uphold the sanctity of the electoral process and respect the rights of the electorate to vote for the candidates of their choice without any form of intimidation or coercion.
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