Taiwo Popoola
The Bishop, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Diocese of Ihiala, Prof Israel Kelue Okoye, has warned Anambra voters against turning their Permanent Voter Cards into commodities for the highest bidder.
Okoye cautioned the electorate to be mindful of the repercussions of such actions, stressing that no sensible person can afford to supervise his own liquidation.
He issued this warning during the ‘Third session of the fifth Synod of the diocese’ held at the St. Stephen’s Diocesan Church Centre, Ihiala, Anambra State, on Saturday.
The cleric, while speaking on the theme, ‘Fear not’ taking from the scriptures, delved into other state and national issues.
He condemned with “utter dismay” the defection of state governors, members of state and national assemblies, and local government legislative and executive officials from one political party to another, describing it as a slap on the citizens who elected them.
“The preparations for the election of the governor of Anambra State on November 8, 2025, are on course.
The electioneering period provides an enlightened basis for ascertaining the candidates that are better equipped to advance the course of development in the interest of the citizens.
“Unfortunately, it has been observed that the strategy of populating campaign venues with a rented crowd, preparatory to paying for their votes, is rife.
“Desperate politicians and their allies exploit the widespread unemployment and hunger in the land to turn vulnerable members of the electorate into political objects that are purchased, deployed for a defined purpose, and dispensed with after an election,” he said.
He called on all the electoral candidates to be issue-based in their electioneering campaigns.
The Bishop added that all those singing hypocritical heroic songs in favour of individuals seeking electoral support do so at the expense of the well-being of the people.
