Professor Attahiru Jega, a former INEC chairman, has raised concern over the country’s monetization of politics while pointing out that it is insufficient to guarantee election success.
Speaking yesterday in Abuja at the PRP’s National Working Committee, the party leader warned that in really democratic countries, elections can only be won with integrity, the truth, people’s confidence, and their support.
He said: “We have to work assiduously towards the success of our great party. It is not money that wins the election. Although in this country it appears it is now on the front burner in winning the election.”
The former vice chairman urged PRP members to band together and cooperate in order to succeed.
He said that Kola Abiola, the PRP presidential candidate, will win the election based on his background and achievements while expressing trust in him.
He added: “This is a very important meeting organised by stakeholders of the party. I feel very happy that I have been invited to be part of this meeting.
“Yes, our chairman has indicated in his opening remarks that unity is strength. Our party is the oldest party presently in this country.
“It is also the party with the best vision and ideology. So, it is a party whose time has come.
“I am very glad to see that we have chosen a very patriotic and intellectually sound Nigeria as our presidential candidate.
“We have also chosen the vice presidential candidate. He is also vibrant and professional.
“This is the time for the party to make a significant impact in this country. What is required is the unity of party members. We have to remain united and we have to give it out all.
“What you will need to win an election clearly is to gain the truth, confidence and support of the electorate. And we are capable of winning the trust of the electorate.
“We will meet them. We will convince them. So, we have an individual and collective responsibility to give our best and promote our candidates, our party manifesto and to ensure that we gain the trust of our candidates,” he said.
In his remark, Abiola warned Nigerians against recycling old and expired politicians who have nothing more positive to contribute to the nation’s wellbeing.
According to him, such are “politicians who come from poisoned trees.”
He said: “It is about time we stopped recycling fruits from a poisoned tree. A lot of politicians come from a poisoned tree and most people from poisoned tree are recycled.
“We are coming in as fresh people and fresh government. And that is what Nigeria needs because they have done it and they have failed.”
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