Rex Ogboru To Abraka Voters: Chase Vote Buyers Away With Their Money

Hon. Rex Enaijite Ogboru has called on voters in Erho Community, Abraka, Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State, to reject vote buying and “chase away” politicians who bring money to influence their votes during the election.

Ogboru made the call during a consultation visit to Erho Community, where he engaged women, men, elders and youths, listening to their concerns, challenges and aspirations.

Addressing the gathering, the political aspirant urged the people not to allow temporary financial inducements to determine their political choices, stressing that accepting money from politicians would not solve the developmental challenges confronting the community.

He said: “Don’t sell your votes, stand and defend your votes. Even if they bring their money, chase them out of your community. Tell them to leave your community with their money.”

According to him, voters should instead demand accountability from those seeking their votes and ask what they have done to justify another mandate.

“When they come for votes, ask them what they have done for Abraka to merit your votes,” he said.

Ogboru said the people of Abraka needed leaders who would prioritise development and the welfare of their constituents rather than leaders who allegedly focus on securing personal benefits.

He lamented the condition of public healthcare facilities, citing the situation at the General Hospital, where, according to him, only one doctor is available, while also pointing to the absence of a health centre in Erho Community.

The aspirant linked what he described as poor leadership to several challenges facing the constituency, including unemployment among graduates, inadequate infrastructure, insecurity affecting farming and the condition of schools in the area.

He also criticised the alleged practice of selling job slots when employment opportunities become available, saying the community needed representatives who would fight for the interests of their people.

Ogboru recalled the record of his late father, who he said once served as a leader in the community, arguing that public projects attracted through political representation should be executed properly for the benefit of the people.

“My late father was once a leader in this community and we all saw his performance. If he had pocketed the money meant for the General Hospital, we wouldn’t have been talking about the hospital today,” he said.

He urged the people to demand transparency whenever projects were awarded to their community, insisting that elected representatives should ensure that such projects were properly executed.

Ogboru further said his decision to continue seeking the office since 2019 was driven by what he described as a commitment to correcting the prevailing style of leadership and improving the welfare of the people.

He said his priorities included improving the welfare of elderly people, creating opportunities for youths and graduates, strengthening healthcare and ensuring that the resources and opportunities associated with the constituency benefited its people.

“Since 2019, I have been running for this office. It is a divine calling, not just a personal decision,” Ogboru said, adding that if his objective were merely to make money for himself and his family, he believed he already had enough to do so.

He said he could not ignore the welfare of his brothers, sisters, mothers and fathers, stressing that his continued participation in politics was based on his determination to advocate a different approach to leadership.

Ogboru therefore charged the people of Erho and the wider Abraka community to “stand tall” and defend the progress of the constituency by making informed decisions at the polls.

He said the future of Abraka depended on the ability of its people to demand accountability, reject vote buying and insist on leaders who would put community development ahead of personal interests.