Don wants more action to curb vote buying

A Professor of Marketing, Rowland Worlu, has advised the federal government to increase advocacy to discourage the culture of vote-buying and other social vices undermining the country’s electoral processes.

Worlu, of the Department of Business Management at Covenant University, Ota, Ogun, gave the advice on Saturday.

He spoke during the 32nd inaugural lecture with the theme “In Praise of Customers and the Electorate” in the institution.

The don emphasised the need for the federal government to liaise with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and civil society organisations (CSOS) to make things better.

“An improved advocacy will vigorously discourage the culture of vote-buying and other social vices that have affected the democratic system and hindered the sanctity of the nation’s electoral processes.

“In addition, vote-buying will not give room for credible leaders to be elected during elections, as the citizens deserve better lives,” he said.

The don stressed the need to curb vote buying, which he claimed was still at a worrisome level in the country.

In society, he said that government and business people should be sensitive to the needs of citizens and customers.

He said that citizens had expectations from government programmes and services.

In his welcome remarks, Prof. Abiodun Adebayo, the Vice-Chancellor of the institution, said that the inaugural lecture tends to address the fundamental aspects of national and sustainable development.

Adebayo urged the electorate to positively use their power to vote out leaders and politicians who are not sensitive to the yearnings of the people.

The VC stressed that, as it is with marketing promises to customers, politicians must fulfil their commitments to the people during campaigns.

He said that Covenant University, as a leading-class institution, would remain sensitive and committed to expansive, viable solutions towards national and continental aspirations.