The Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Ondo State Council, has admonished politicians and the electorate against engaging in any form of vote trading during the forthcoming November 16 governorship election in the state.
The union, which harped on the many dangers inherent in vote-buying and vote-selling, empathised that such exercise will amount to mortgaging the future.
According to the state council of the NUJ in a communiqué issued after the monthly congress held at the Press Centre in Akure, the state capital, political actors in the forthcoming election must make their campaigns issue-based.
The union also appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to be strict with media accreditation to prevent fake journalists from thronging the state during the election.
In the communiqué signed by the secretary of the council, Meshack Olaoluwa, the Ondo State government was urged to fast-track negotiations with the organised labour and as well ensure the timely implementation of the N73,000 new minimum wage promised by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
“That the Congress charges political parties and their candidates to make their campaigns more issue-based to enable the electorate to make the right choice while cautioning voters not to mortgage their future and that of their children with vote trading during the November 16 election.
“Expressing satisfaction with the level of preparations by various key stakeholders, especially the INEC and security agencies, the NUJ Congress calls on them to provide a level playing field for candidates before and during the governorship election, for a credible and acceptable poll.”