A Federal Lawmaker, Honourable Bamidele Salam has expressed worry over the tactics which some desperate politicians have recently adopted to induce voters during elections in Nigeria.
Salam, who condemned what he called serious vote buying during the previous elections in the country warned that the electoral offence is fraudulent and poses danger to democracy, if it is not adequately curbed.
The lawmaker representing Ede North, Ede South ,Egbedore and Ejigbo at the Federal House of Representatives said many attempts by politicians to outspend each other by disbursing large sums of money to community leaders for onward distribution to voters.
Salam who advised electorates to ensure that the attitude of the candidates vying for one political office or the other were well examined before voting them into power said they should not cast ballots because of money.
He recalled how he emerged victorious while he was contesting despite lack of fund saying every aspirants should be subjected to integrity test before voting for them.
Speaking as a guest at the maiden edition of the media parley organized by Osun Online Media Practitioners’ Association, OOMPA, held in Osogbo, Salam revealed how he emerged as a representative member without personal money.
He disclosed that he couldn’t afford N2million to contest for the national assembly seat, but God really used Dr Deji Adeleke for him both morally and financially.
He said: “Though, he doesn’t like me saying it but it must be said. I am eternally grateful to God and Dr. Deji Adeleke for making me who I am today. As far as Osun is concerned, he remains my teacher and mentor.”
“In politics, we have good, pleasant and most honorable people the same way we have most wicked and bad people. However, this is not limited to politics, it’s everywhere.” Bamidele said.
Speaking on the recent embargo placed on the micro blogging website, Twitter by the federal government, the PDP lawmaker described the federal government’s decision as unpatriotic and “a personal desire equated to national desire”
According to Salam “There are lot of things that have been affected by the ban of Twitter, there are lot of people, especially among the youths that depend on Twitter.
“Twitter is seen as their source of living, rendering one or more services and making money from it, but now they are rendered jobless with the ban”, he said.
He urged FG to revisit its suspension decision in order not to increase joblessness of young Nigerians in the country.
Speaking on why some Nigerians are agitating for secession, Salam linked the agitations to unresolved concern national issues cum frustration through disappointment on the promises made by the All Progressives Congress, APC, led federal government of President Muhammadu Buhari.
The lawmaker , however, said those who are calling for secession have their concerns ,fear and frustration urging the FG to constructively dialogue with them and give a listening ear to their yearning.
According to the rep, ” When people feel frustrated and believe that they can not get their way of redressing it they resolve to extremism.”
Speaking on the continuation of the country beyond 2023 he said “We remain stronger and healthier as a nation, If Nigeria breaks up today we all have more to loss than what to gain.”
Some members of the Indigenous People of Biafra,IPOB, in the east and some people in the western part of the country are rooting for their respective nations to be carved out from Nigeria.
