As political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for Aniocha North Constituency II in the Delta State House of Assembly, Engr. Kelvin Uche Okolie, has cautioned constituents against falling for empty promises, deception and financial inducements allegedly used by politicians to influence their votes.
Engr. Okolie gave the warning during consultation visits to Idumu-Ogo, Ubulubu, Ugbodu, Ugboba, Idumuje-Unor, youths and party stakeholders over the weekend.
He urged the people to be wary of gifts and promises made during election periods, describing them as attempts to buy their voices and consciences for the next four years.
According to the PDP candidate for Aniocha North Constituency II, “Their gift of ₦50,000 today or during every election period will not feed you for four years or transform your life; it is just a mere attempt to silence your voice and buy your conscience. Hence, we should carefully look beyond those deceits and promises to audaciously decide our future together.
“The money they are sharing to you is the crumbs from the leftovers of the billions meant for you, which they have consumed. You can collect the money because it is yours, but still vote your conscience.”
Engr. Okolie also urged constituents to resist any form of intimidation aimed at instilling fear or silencing their voices, stressing that everyone is a stakeholder in determining who represents them.
Continuing, he said, “You should ask yourselves, why is it that it is only at election cycles they share ₦50,000 or less to you? And to think of it, what can that money do for you under this hardship and bad economy?
“But for us, we are poised to build Idumuje/Odiani that will work for all, irrespective of your class and status.”
Engr. Okolie reaffirmed his commitment to abide by the decision of the Idumuje/Odiani Traditional Rulers/Elders Forum to serve only one four-year term if elected.
He also promised to relocate home and live among his constituents in order to better understand and remain acquainted with the challenges confronting the people, rather than staying far away from them.
The philanthropist and PDP candidate for Aniocha North Constituency II, Engr. Kelvin Okoliedisclosed that efforts were already underway to establish agricultural investments that would create employment opportunities and provide skills acquisition programmes for youths across Constituency II.
In his remarks, the Director-General of the Ikuku Oma Campaign Organization, Dr. Milton Joe, described Okolie’s candidacy as one built on humility and accessibility.
Dr. Milton Joe assured constituents that Okolie would operate an open-door leadership style, where people would not need to fill forms or have special connections to access their representative.
Continuing, Joe said, “Don’t give your Voters’ Card to anybody for any reason or because of promises of money. By doing so, you’re only selling yourself and silencing your voice.
“For us, we are not making promises because we have been doing it before, and we are here only to seek your support to consolidate for the greater prosperity we will bring to you.”
Joe urged the people to support Okolie’s candidacy, saying it reflected the collective decision of the Idumuje/Odiani people.
In his words, “How can we have a representative that none of our leaders were in support of or part of the decision that brought about his candidature? Such leadership will never be accountable to us, neither do we stand the chance to receive the dividends of democracy that are due to us.”
Dr. Joe further stressed the need for the constituents to make the right political decision now, saying it was crucial for the future of the constituency.
“If we allow outsiders to decide our fate or impose leaders on us, we will perpetually be their slaves, which will not be good for us,” he concluded.
