Politics
2023: Don’t sell your votes, Timi Frank warns PDP ad-hoc delegates
Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, on Thursday, warned Adhoc delegates billed to elect a Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at its special national convention on Saturday not to sell their votes to the highest bidder.
Frank in a statement in Abuja, urged the Adhoc delegates to put the progress and development of Nigeria above all parochial, selfish and mundane interests by voting for a candidate with track record of performance, providing solutions, good governance, experience, competence, impeccable character and a strong political will to deliver.
According to him, the clarion call has become necessary to make for the process of national rebirth and development beginning from 2023.
He insisted that the PDP Adhoc delegates now have the sacred duty to reverse the dwindling fortunes of the country caused by a directionless All Progressives Congress (APC), where confusion, lack of internal democracy and imposition of candidates has become the principles and directive policies of the party.
Frank, who is the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) Ambassador to East Africa and Middle East, said: “We have observed with utmost disappointment that during the primary elections for House of Representatives, Senate and Governorship of the PDP, political office holders, especially outgoing Governors, hijacked the processes by imposing their lackeys on the people.
“We have also seen how political office holders intimidated, harassed and used huge sums of apparently looted funds to bribe delegates to have their way.
“This action by the Governors will definitely not lead to the kind of leadership Nigerians desire in the next dispensation beginning from the 2023 general elections.
“Therefore, we passionately and strongly urge Adhoc delegates to the Special Convention of the PDP to pick the party’s presidential candidate on Saturday to shun all manner of bribes but should be courageous to vote for a candidate that is competent to lead our dear country out of the woods.
“Our country is in dire straits due to insecurity and economic collapse and only a capable, experienced and knowledgeable aspirant in tune with modern political dynamics and socio-economic trends should be voted as the presidential flag-bearer of the party.
“Adhoc delegates must not because of one day’s enjoyment or gain, arising from huge monetary inducements, elect a questionable and incompetent character who will eventually ruin their very future and that of the entire country.
“Good enough, Nigerians know the names and addresses of these Adhoc delegates and they will surely mark them out after the convention either as those who voted to salvage the country at a time of immense chaos and anarchy in the land, or those who voted for their pockets and threw the country back into the abyss of hopelessness, joblessness, insecurity, hunger, despair, disease and unbearable societal decay.”
He attributed the precarious and parlous state of the country under the Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) led APC’s administration to poor choices made by APC delegates in 2014 during similar national convention to select presidential candidate for the party.
He added: “We are where we are today because delegates in the past sold their votes for money, religion, ethnicity and bigotry.
“It is clear that the challenges of economic collapse, unmitigated insecurity, hunger, joblessness, frequent power grid failure and educational morass now bedeviling the country are direct function of poor choice of candidates especially for the office of President by political party delegates since return to democratic governance in 1999.
“Delegates today stand at the threshold of history to pick a candidate who if voted into office as President will roll up his or her sleeves and wholeheartedly work for this country and not a section of it.
“These Adhoc delegates must really put Nigerian first. In the past they were directly responsible for foisting bad leadership on the country, because those they selected during primary elections eventually became the only options Nigerians had to choose from during the general elections.”
He urged the Adhoc delegates to bravely resist any form of intimidation, manipulation and misdirection by outgoing Governors who facilitated their emergence as delegates by patriotically voting to elect suitable and competent candidates that would ultimately provide answers to the prayers of Nigerians if elected during the general election.
He reminded them that the Governors now prodding them to satisfy their myopic and selfish desires would not suffer with them should a bad leader again emerge from their choice as the outgoing state chief executives already amassed enough wealth both legally and illegally to sustain them and their families for a long time.
“Otherwise, the Adhoc delegates would also suffer the harsh repercussions of selling their votes to the wrong candidates for money which is ephemeral.
“This is an opportunity for Adhoc delegates to make history. Let it be said that they came to the nation’s rescue with their votes at such a critical era in her Chequered evolution. They must avoid saying ‘had I know’ in the near future,” he said.
He urged Nigerians to mark delegates to the PDP convention and hold them responsible should they choose a presidential candidate that would worsen an already terrible and unbearable life situation or one with whom the country can breathe a sigh of relief after eventual emergence as president.
The Labour Party has dismissed allegations of a partnership with President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 elections.
The accusations were made by lawyer Deji Adeyanju, who claimed that the party’s leadership, including its National Chairman, Barrister Julius Abure, is collaborating with the ruling party.
In a statement issued by the Labour Party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, the party described Adeyanju’s remarks as defamatory, baseless, and harmful to its reputation.
The party affirmed its commitment to its role as the leading opposition, citing its continuous critique of government policies and its push for reforms in Nigeria’s political system.
“The Labour Party has remained visible and vocal in interrogating system failures and proposing solutions. Our National Chairman, Barrister Abure, has been at the forefront of this effort,” the statement read.
The Labour Party highlighted key initiatives, including the formation of an Electoral Reform Committee to advocate for transparent elections and the introduction of e-membership registration to promote participatory democracy.
The party called on Adeyanju to provide evidence to substantiate his claims or withdraw his statement and issue a public apology.
It also warned against actions that could harm the party’s reputation and undermine its efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy.
Senate minority Leader and key member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) caucus, Senator Abba Moro, has reiterated the party’s commitment to restructuring and regaining its electoral strength.
Speaking after the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Assembly caucus meeting on Wednesday, Moro addressed concerns about the party’s recent setbacks and ongoing efforts to prepare for future electoral challenges.
Moro emphasized that the PDP remains resilient despite recent losses, including gubernatorial elections, and is strategizing to strengthen the party.
“We discussed the affairs of the party, particularly as we approach a critical meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC)to take vital decisions on the state of the PDP,” Moro said.
“We are intensifying efforts to ensure the party grows stronger and prepares for subsequent elections without distractions.”
Addressing allegations of vote buying in recent elections, Moro expressed concern over the state of Nigeria’s democracy and the conduct of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“Everyone is worried about Nigeria’s democracy,” he said. “INEC has faced criticism, but every failure is a lesson. We must ensure that mandates stolen from the people, like in Edo State, are restored. Failure should become a mechanism for future success.”
Responding to criticisms of PDP’s Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagun, Moro dismissed claims that his leadership has been detrimental to the party.
“The PDP is not just about one individual,” he stated. “Damagun is the acting chairman, but PDP is about all its members. We are working round the clock to return the PDP to its winning ways.”
He also downplayed the influence of PDP members like FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, who has been associated with the APC.
Moro likened such political dynamics to bipartisan endorsements seen in the United States, emphasizing that PDP remains focused on rebuilding.
“Anyone working against the PDP today will have to contend with the resilience of PDP members,” he warned.
Highlighting the party’s long-standing reputation, Moro described the PDP as a resilient brand that has always bounced back from challenges.
“PDP is a brand,” he declared. “Despite temporary setbacks, we will bounce back. Once our electoral laws are strengthened, future election results will not be the same.”
When asked who should be blamed for the party’s challenges, Moro refrained from finger-pointing, stating:
“The most important thing is that something is not right. We are working to fix it, and we will get it right.”
The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment from the PDP Senate caucus to revitalize the party and ensure better outcomes in upcoming elections.
***Describes Process as “Victimless Crime” in Scathing Critique
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Prince Adewole Adebayo, has issued a critical assessment of the recent Ondo State Governorship Election, labeling it an “Ondo Auction.”
Adebayo argued that the election was less about genuine democracy and more about transactional politics, with “willing buyers” and “willing sellers” dominating the process.
Taking to his X account, Adebayo suggested that the Ondo election could serve as a case study for the Central Bank’s foreign exchange practices, given the efficient “marketplace” nature of the vote.
He lamented what he saw as a lack of authentic voter engagement, claiming that ballots appeared to be traded as commodities rather than cast with genuine intent.
Adebayo extended his criticism to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the police, and major media outlets, whom he accused of watching passively as the alleged auction unfolded.
Offering sarcastic congratulations to those who “purchased” the victory, he sympathized with voters, whom he felt had unknowingly relinquished their democratic power in a flawed process.
Quoting a biblical phrase, “Father Forgive Them For They Know Not What They Do,” Adebayo expressed sadness over the state of democracy in Ondo and called for divine intervention to steer Nigeria towards a more transparent electoral future.
In his post, Adebayo remarked: “The Ondo State Governorship Election of yesterday is what criminologists would term as victim-less crimes: a spectacle of willing buyers @OfficialAPCNg meeting willing sellers in a perfect market that should be an example for @cenbank in the foreign exchange markets. Ondo Auction is smoother than the Dutch Auction. Four years sold so freely and openly that no one should lie that they were coerced or intimidated or browbeaten. And @PoliceNG and @inecnigeria @AIT_Online @ARISEtv @KAFTAN_TV @channelstv @NTANewsNow all witnessed it live.
“No one should pretend that they need someone to interview over this. It is in order to congratulate the buyers on their purchased ‘victory’ while shedding some tears for the sellers with the Calvary elegy that ‘Father Forgive Them For They Knoweth Not What They Do.’ God Bless Nigeria and may God Guide Ondo State.”
Adebayo’s post has since sparked conversation across the country, with calls for reform and a stronger commitment to electoral integrity in Nigeria.
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