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From Jude Chinedu, Enugu
Former Action Alliance governorship candidate in Anambra State, Ben Etiaba, has urged Nigerians to reject politicians offering financial incentives during elections to ensure better leadership in the future, noting that vote buying was rife during the 2023 general elections.
Speaking at the conclusion of the 2024 Annual General Meeting and the inauguration of new executives of the Zenith Environmental and Social Protection Network (ZESPRONET) in Enugu State, Etiaba noted the critical need for electing leaders based on their commitment to quality representation rather than financial inducements.
“We have a leadership problem in Nigeria, but the followership problem is even bigger. Politicians with excess ill-gotten wealth, who focus on self-enrichment, have dominated our political space due to the electorate’s preference for financial gratification over credible leadership,” Etiaba remarked.
He further criticized the tendency of Nigerian elections to be influenced by religion and ethnicity rather than ideologies, arguing that all political parties in Nigeria are fundamentally similar, with the primary difference being the individual candidates.
In his address, Zespronet’s International President, Eke Uguru, emphasized the organization’s commitment to mitigating the effects of poor governance, which has led to significant economic hardship.
Uguru, represented by National President George Ukaegbu, stated that ZESPRONET would prioritize developing a business model to harness the economic potentials of its members.
“We will focus on creating a ZESPRONET business module that leverages our members’ economic potentials. This will be a priority,” Uguru said. He also reiterated their commitment to addressing global warming in the southeast and enhancing the value of universities in the region and beyond.
The event culminated in the presentation of awards to the outgoing president of ZESPRONET, Boris Emeka, and his executives.
