. . . Kick Against Vote Buying, Selling
. . . Make Case for Physically Challenged Persons
By Abuchi Onwumelu
Less than 24hours to the Presidential and National Assembly elections, a youth group under the aegis of Adazi-Ani Development Advocate, has trooped out on the street of Adazi-Ani, in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State to sensitize the electorate on the need to vote credible candidates as well as shun all manner of inducements from desperate politicians
The group numbering over 500 wielding placards of various inscriptions ranging from “No to Vote buying and Selling, “Our Votes Must Surely Count”, We Will Vote According to Our Conscience”, “Our Vote Is Not For Sale”, We Will Vote Massively for Credible Candidates”, We Are Coming Out to Vote”, among others.
The demonstrators marched through Adazi-Ani Community High School to Ama-Ukuku Junction to Orjiakor Memorial Grammar School with a brief stopover at Rise Clinic from RISE Clinic all in Adazi-Ani.
Speaking on behalf of the youths, the organizer of the youth Rally, Mr. Okoye Augustine Amakom said they were out to conscientized the people of the area, especially youths on the danger inherent in vote buying and selling even as he announced that the group was apolitical, adding that they were out to ensure that Adazi-Ani Youths cast their votes for credible and deserved candidates.
Amakom who urged the youths to vote according to their conscience thanked the organizers of the event for their magnanimity and encouragement, even as he promised to take the message of vote buying and selling to nooks and crannies of Adazi-Ani community.
For his part, a participant and a youth of Adazi-Ani, Dr. Emeka Okeke appealed to youths of the community to desist from acts capable of bringing the town to disrepute. He enjoined them to come en masse to cast their vote, saying that he was ready to contribute his quota in ensuring that right and sellable candidates were voted into position of authority.
Dr. Okeke who is the Founder/CEO of RISE Clinic, Adazi-Ani frowned at the way and manner political office seekers move about their campaigns, urging Anambra Youths, especially Adazi-Ani Youths to look beyond monetary gains and inducement, adding that voting right and prepared individuals would ameliorate the plights of the poor masses and set Nigeria on the path of progress.
The medical practitioner used the medium to make a case for the physically challenged persons in the community, noting that they (Physically Challenged Persons) deserved to be given equal opportunity and attention.
He enjoined Ndi Anambra to spare a thought for the physically challenged persons in society even as he appeal to people to desist from discriminating against them.
Contributing the Director of Health and Compliance RISE Clinic, Adazi-Ani, Dr. Dubem Onyejiaka corroborated Dr. Emeka Okeke’s stance, noting that the rally would help in preparing the minds of the youths on how not to waste their future.
Dr. Onyejiaka said that they placed high premium on health and education, noting that an educated mind would never cheapen or allowed himself to be bought over by the desperate politicians
‘Our youths need proper re-orientation. We are out to educate and sensitize them. Thuggery, rascality and weird behaviours are all what we are fighting against. Our youths are our future. We can’t afford to watch them waste away. This rally is not all about vote buying and selling. We are also creating awareness on health and education,’ Onyejiaka concluded.
Adazi-Ani students protesting against vote buying and selling
Dr. Dubem Onyejiaka of RISE Clinic, Adazi-Ani addressing the gathering