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.

Mr 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 improve things.

“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 worrisome in the country.

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

In his welcome remarks, Abiodun Adebayo, the institution’s vice-chancellor, said the inaugural lecture addresses the fundamental aspects of national and sustainable development.

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

The VC stressed that, like marketers making promises to customers, politicians must fulfil their commitments to the people during campaigns.

(NAN)