Survival of vote-buying depends on electorate – Former lawmaker

Former Senator, Roland Owie from Edo, on Wednesday said that entrenchment and survival of vote-buying menace in the country’s electoral process largely depended on the electorate.
Owie who represented Edo South Senatorial District between 1999 and 2003, said this in Benin while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria on the 2019 general elections.
The senator who represented the district under PDP condemned selling of votes by some Nigerians, saying that the practice had led to voting out of many credible candidates.
He advised Nigerians to shun corrupt politicians who would want to buy their votes, and said the electorate must vote their conscience, even if they had to collect money from politicians.
He said: “The truth is that vote buying depends on you and me.
“If Nigerians decide to take N3, 000 or N5, 000 and vote against the credible leaders who can ensure good governance, for those who would enslave them, it’s their choice.
“Nigerians should wake up. The money you are given by those buying votes on election is our money; if they give you, take the money and then vote your conscience.
“We are the ones to do what is right. Nigerians should now know who is who among the leaders. When the righteous men rule, the people rejoice.”