Blessing Bature, Abuja
Chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council, Hon. Christopher Zakka Maikalangu have advised residents of the Council not to succumb to vote buying and thuggery in forthcoming general election in order to overcome a major obstacle to free, fair and credible elections in FCT.
The chairman who spoke at a sensitization programme organised by the Council ahead of 2023 general election, with over 5000 women draw from 12 political ward of the Council.
He said vote buying hinders accountability from the elected leaders and expressed worry at the high prospect that proceeds of crime may find its way into the 2023 general election through vote buying and thuggery and May increase the likelihood of election violence due to a “win at all costs” mentality among contestants who would have invested a fortune in the election.
He stressed that, surely, election is not a do or die affair. Election is not a business venture for profit, but instead an application to serve the people with the understanding that they may prefer someone else on one occasion.
He said, “As this election is in some days to come I advised every resident of AMAC to be peaceful and avoid ways that will bring crisis in this election because election is not a do or die affairs. Power come from God if God say you will be elected you will surely be elected.
“If any politician is contesting an election, he or her campaign with their manifesto to the people. if they don’t like you no matter how much you offer them they will go for their choice. If you like give people 1 million each if they don’t like you they won’t vote for you. but if you good and a good product you will sell yourself.
“Today we haven started a sensitization programme with women from 12 political ward of the Council and we will continue. Our residents should come out and be peaceful they should vote peaceful we don’t want any violence and that exactly what we are educating our people here today.”
The Chairman stressed that concerted action will be taken against anybody who induce violence during the poll and the person will not go free because we in FCT we don’t embrace violence . “For those who are yet to collect their PVC should go out and do so because PVC is their weapon” he said.
