Just a few hours ago, Dr. Reuben Abati, a well-respected political analyst and veteran journalist, spoke out about the comments made by Peter Gregory Obi, the presidential candidate for the Labour Party (LP), in which he asked Nigerians to vote their conscience despite accepting money from his opponents trying to buy votes on Election Day.
You may recall that on Thursday, December 22, 2022, at a campaign event in Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State, Obi urged his followers to accept money from candidates offering to purchase their votes, arguing that the money being offered rightfully belonged to the Nigerian people. Nigerians, he said, should vote for him regardless of whether or not they receive financial incentives.
Dr. Abati responded to Obi’s remarks on Friday’s episode of ARISE TV’s “The Morning Show,” saying that on the surface it seems like the Labour Party candidate is vote buying, in violation of the Electoral Act, but that when the full statement is put into context, it becomes clear that he has said nothing wrong.
As he put it; “According to the Electoral Act, it is illegal to offer a bribe in exchange for a vote. No matter what you’re using to buy votes—money, grain, or roasted plantain—it won’t work. Look, the law requires you to vote your conscience, and that’s what INEC has been insisting on all along. A free and educated electorate is a cornerstone of a democratic society. The suggestion that Mr. Obi support vote buying by stating, “Oh, gather their money and vote for me,” is plausible from this perspective.
But in context, you’ll see that right after stating that, he went on to explain what he meant. When examining language and conversation, context is essential. He then continued to explain that “Others are acting inappropriately by attempting to induce you. But the money I offer you will go toward things like schooling and health care and peace of mind “He always boasts, “I will turn Nigeria from a consumer to a producer.” Those were the main points made during that event in Port Harcourt.”
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