MONEY POLITICS A MAJOR CHALLENGE IN NIGERIA POLITICS

Callers in “Political Watch,” a Radio Nigeria Enugu Zonal Political programme say emphasis on money politics during electioneering is a major hindrance to electing credible candidates.

They expressed regret that over the years in the nation’s politics, money rather than ideas played pivotal role in determining election results.

The Leader Enugu State House of Assembly, Chief Ikechukwu Ezugwu, urged the electorate to vote people who had capacity to provide dividends of democracy.

The Governorship candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) in Enugu State, Mr. Bede Chimezie advised other politicians to de-emphasize the use of money to win elections but endeavour to sell ideas that could solve challenges confronting the people during campaigns.

An Enugu legal practitioner, Mr. Ray Nnaji, who pointed out that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) lacked the manpower and technology to monitor campaign spending called for massive employment of more workers by the Commission to enable it to monitor spending by politicians during electioneering.

Mr. Nnaji said campaign was very expensive in the country and suggested the reform of the nation’s electoral laws.

OLIVER OSSAI