Former Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, has described the extreme monetisation of politics and political processes by some political actors in the country as the biggest threat to the nation’s democracy.
Abdullahi said this while delivering a lecture at the 2022 Annual Press Week of the Correspondents’ Chapel, Kwara chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Ilorin.
The former minister said that politicians had turned the political process into a business transaction in the country.
Abdullahi, who said that the development had brought out all manner of people canvassing for elective offices, added that the trend, if not curbed, was capable of making the electorate poorer and miserable in the long run.
“When politicians pay people to vote for them, the act has taken away the capability of the people to decide who governs them.
“It is the same as soldiers using guns to be in power, and politicians using the power of dollars to get to power.
“The monetisation of politics is a big threat to the nation’s democracy and political processes. Many people lost their conscience when money is involved,” he cautioned.
The senatorial candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Kwara Central Senatorial District, however, called on stakeholders in the country, and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to act fast to halt money politics.
He stressed that the quality of journalism in the country was a reflection of the nation’s democracy, adding that journalism should be able to deepen the nation’s democracy.
“Journalists should be able to play their constitutional roles as enshrined in the nation’s Constitution.
“Media practitioners should be able to hold government accountable for the inadequate provision of education, job opportunities, security, corrupt practices and abuse of power,” he said.
According to him, journalists are expected to act as watchdogs and as well help set the agenda for the 2023 general elections.
The Chairman of the Correspondents Chapel, Alhaji Akeem Garba, had earlier commended members of the chapel for their turnout, and tasked them to be disciplined and be good ambassadors of the chapel.
He urged journalists in the country to help preserve and sustain the nation’s democracy by carrying out their duties effectively and unbiased.
The theme for the 2022 Press Week is “Re-engaging the Media for Credible Democratic Process”.