As political parties across Nigeria prepare for primary elections to select candidates for the State Houses of Assembly and National Assembly, concerns have continued to grow over the alleged influence of party leaders and moneybags in determining who emerges as candidates.

A former governorship aspirant in Ondo State under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Moyosola Niran-Oladunni, has lamented what he described as the growing inability of ordinary party members and voters to freely choose their preferred representatives.


In a no-holds-barred interview, Niran-Oladunni, popularly known as MNO, said the political system had become dominated by individuals driven by personal survival and relevance rather than genuine commitment to development and service to the people.

According to him, the electorate are increasingly being enslaved and influenced with money during elections.

“I decided to concentrate on my business when I realised my people didn’t have the power to determine who represents them,” Niran-Oladunni said.

In his words: “the fact remains that we have the connections and contacts to influence whatever we want. Those people gallivanting around the corridors of power do not really have better contacts.

“However, there is a limt to the level of some of us that could descend. I can not depend on Abuja if I truly want to serve my people in Isowopo. Things have defeated to the level that even to become a ward councillor, someone would need to send down your name from Abuja. That’s not the type of politics that aids grassroot development.

“We shall ‘siddon look’ and be watching the Maradonas as they engage one another in the shameless game.”

Commenting on the performance of Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Niran-Oladunni said the governor’s achievements would ultimately speak for him after leaving office.

He further argued that many governors across the country had failed to rise above what he described as a “hustler mentality.”
“The way most of the governors hustles for money is demeaning.
“Shamelessness is the greatest attribute of successful politicians in Nigeria. To be a successful politican in Nigeria, you must be shameless,” he stated.