A former Independent National Electoral Commission National commissioner for the South-West, Prof. Layi Olurode, has said the electorate must be determined to shun money politics for Nigerian democracy to succeed.

Mr Olurode made the remark on Tuesday in Osogbo while delivering a lecture at the annual get-together organised by the Forum of Osun Retired Chief Executives of Parastatals.

Mr Olurode spoke on the topic “Nigeria’s democratisation project: Bumper harvest without injuring the tree?”

According to the former INEC commissioner, politicians might always want to buy the conscience of the electorate during the election; hence, they must be determined to make positive changes by rejecting such offers.

Mr Olurode, who noted that democracy was not customised, said the electorate must be determined to make it work for the benefits of the masses by rejecting money politics.

He said, “We cannot make headway if we continue to vote against our conscience because of money. The electorate must be ready to make positive changes in Nigeria by rejecting money politics. Money is perishable, but our conscience is not. Let us all go into the next elections with renewed vigour, doggedness, and optimism. Stop the blame game or demonising political leadership; play a positive role in the change process.’’

The former INEC commissioner also said that lack of participation of the elites in the democratic processes was a big issue in the country.

“Many of the elite rarely participate in our democratic processes; however, they are the ones that complain bitterly about the challenges the country is passing through. Promoting participation in all phases of democracy remains an issue in Nigeria; this negates the condescending attitude of Nigerian elites who rarely appreciate the social cost/social capital outlay of leadership,” he said.

Mr Olurode, however, said that political elites had been of great relevance in holding Nigeria together not under the barrel of the gun but in the context of immense diversity.

Early in his remarks, President of the forum, Isaac Adeleke, commended Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State for not treating the welfare of pensioners in the state with levity.

“This encourages both pensioners and even workers still in service to have hope that they will not be unfairly treated as far as pension matters are concerned. However, the issue of remuneration for some categories of retirees needs to be looked into. This is the area of those who retired almost a decade ago as heads of parastatals, boards, and corporations who earn low pensions,” he said.

In his goodwill message, the state Head of Service, Ayanleye Aina, commended members of the forum for their selfless service to the state during their active days.

(NAN)