Dumo Lulu-Briggs, the governorship candidate of the Accord Party in Rivers State, has called on Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to investigate what he alleged to be vote-buying ahead of the 2023 general elections by Governor Nyesom Wike.
Lulu-Briggs, who was reacting to 100,000 Special Advisers appointed by the governor from different polling Units in the state, said the governor could not deceive the people with his vote-buying in the name of political appointments.
The Accord Party governorship candidate challenged the governor to prove his sincerity by converting the appointments to civil servant jobs to reduce the level of hunger and suffering of the people rather than giving political appointments to be paid with Rivers’ money.
He called on INEC to investigate the appointment in accordance with the Electoral Act, which, he said, would give Rivers people the opportunity for a level-playing field in making their choice in the 2023 general elections.
“It is clear that the 100,000 special assistants and unit advisers across the 23 councils cannot be described differently from vote-buying. You want to give your party a head start and you are already paying money across the units.
“A hundred thousand persons you pay with state resources is an added advantage. Such is not done. We should create a level-playing field. Give Rivers people the opportunity to choose the man or woman they will want to govern them. They deserve that because they have been through a lot as a people.
“I think this is a matter the INEC should take on. And probably sanction the PDP. Obviously, they are getting an advantage. If they do not have a popular candidate, it is unfortunate because it is their choice to decide whom to present. So, when you present someone, you should allow Rivers people to decide and not give yourself 100,000 votes before elections.”
