An NGO, Patriotic Volunteers Association, has said that money politics is a threat to Nigeria’s democracy.
The leader and patron of the group, Usman Alhaji, stated this on Sunday in Kano while unveiling the group at the NUJ Press Centre.
He said although Nigeria copied the presidential system from US, it did not take all the best principles associated with that system of government.
“In US, nobody contests because he has plenty of money to dole out, the practice is regulated, it is based on merit and performance.
“In Nigeria, there is an emerging trend which may be termed the commercialisation of politics
which threatens the sustenance of democracy in the country.
“We cannot afford to have money as the criterion for electing people. We cannot go on or sustain the nation on this philosophy,” Alhaji pointed out.
He stressed the need for the citizenry to also ensure that they elect the best candidates based on merit and performance.
Earlier, the group’s Acting Chairman, Steering Committee, Ibrahim Gwarzo, said they were out to ensure that the nation’s registered political parties produce credible candidates.
“With the 2023 general elections approaching, we believe there is the need to advocate entrenching democratic principles, hence the need to form a strong and viable front.
“We took time to carefully select like-minded people that share same ideas and principles,” he added.
He maintained that the Patriotic Volunteers Association was out to fight against money politics, noting that it would assist in sanitising the system.
NAN
