The governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Ebonyi State, Hon. Tobias Nnabuike Oriji, has urged voters to reject vote-buying and all forms of electoral inducement ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning that politicians who spend heavily to secure electoral victories often seek to recover their investments after assuming office.
Oriji made the call during an interview with journalists in Abakaliki, where he emphasized the need for the electorate to prioritize competence, integrity and visionary leadership over financial inducements during elections.
According to him, the future of Ebonyi State depends largely on the quality of leaders elected into public office, stressing that governance should be driven by service to the people rather than personal financial interests.
"We don't want to buy votes. We want people to vote their minds. When politicians buy votes, they often try to recover what they spent after getting into office," he said.
The ADC governorship candidate maintained that democracy can only flourish when citizens are allowed to exercise their voting rights freely and according to their conscience without pressure, intimidation or financial influence.
He noted that the forthcoming governorship election presents an opportunity for Ebonyi people to elect leaders with the capacity and vision to address developmental challenges and advance the welfare of the citizenry.
Oriji expressed confidence in his ability to provide effective leadership if elected governor, assuring residents that his administration would be anchored on transparency, accountability and fairness in the conduct of government business.
He said public trust in government can only be sustained when leaders demonstrate integrity and openness in the implementation of policies and programmes.
The governorship hopeful dismissed concerns about his financial capacity to prosecute the election, insisting that he possesses the resources necessary to run a successful campaign without resorting to vote-buying or any form of electoral malpractice.
He argued that elections should be won through the acceptance of ideas, programmes and vision rather than through the distribution of money or material gifts to voters.
Commenting on the culture of allegations and political attacks that often characterize election campaigns, Oriji described such developments as common features of politics, noting that politicians frequently search for perceived weaknesses in their opponents in a bid to gain public attention.
He, however, stressed that his focus would remain on presenting his programmes and policy proposals to the electorate rather than engaging in personal attacks and distractions.
According to him, leadership styles differ from one administration to another, and the true test of governance lies not only in policy formulation but also in effective implementation.
The ADC candidate cited scholarship programmes as an example, recalling allegations in the past that some beneficiaries were unfairly selected, and pledged that his administration would ensure equity, fairness and transparency in the execution of government programmes.
He assured the people that favoritism, discrimination and exclusion would have no place in his government, adding that every qualified citizen would be given equal opportunities to benefit from government initiatives.
Oriji further expressed optimism about the prospects of the ADC in the forthcoming elections, declaring that the party is well-positioned to achieve significant victories across the state.
He said with the support of the people and divine favour, the ADC would emerge victorious in the governorship election and other elective contests in Ebonyi State.
The governorship candidate reiterated his appeal to the electorate not to mortgage their future for temporary financial gains, stressing that the decisions they make at the polls would have long-term implications for the development and prosperity of the state.
He urged voters to carefully evaluate candidates based on their character, competence and commitment to public service, rather than the amount of money they are willing to spend during campaigns.
