Declares Politicians Should Campaign With What They Have Achieved Or Intend To Do For The People
Chief Yomi Oduselu Hassan the Ekwueme 1 of Akumazi kingdom has described the wave of empowerment programmes now being rolled out by politicians as vote buying in disguise, urging aspirants and office holders to campaign on their records and their plans rather than on handouts.
Speaking in Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, Hassan said the timing and manner of many so-called empowerment schemes leave little doubt about their real purpose.
“Any empowerment now is vote buying in disguise,” he said. “When a politician who has been silent for years suddenly starts distributing items as elections draw near, the people should ask what is behind it.”
He said politicians in power should present what they have achieved in office and let the electorate judge them on that basis. Those not in power, he added, should tell the people what they intend to do if elected, with clear and workable plans.
“If you are in office, campaign with what you have done. If you are not, campaign with what you intend to do for the people. Do not campaign with vote buying in the name of empowerment,” Hassan declared.
He argued that genuine empowerment is a sustained effort that builds skills, creates jobs and strengthens communities, not a one-off giveaway timed to the election calendar. According to him, such gestures leave beneficiaries no better off once the votes have been counted, while undermining the integrity of the democratic process.
Hassan also called on voters to reject inducements and hold politicians accountable for their promises. He said the electorate holds the power to change the quality of leadership by insisting that candidates earn their mandate through service and credible programmes.
He urged political parties, traditional institutions, community leaders and the media to help enlighten the public on the dangers of vote buying, stressing that it erodes trust in government and rewards those with the most money rather than the best ideas.
“The people must know that their votes are not for sale,” he said. “Our democracy can only grow when leaders are chosen on the strength of their ideas and achievements.”
