Akoh condemns rice and salt politics in Benue, urging voters to reject inducement politics and demand real governance ahead of 2027 elections
Elder statesman and political leader Dickson Akoh has criticised what he described as the growing culture of inducement politics in Benue South, insisting that the distribution of rice, salt and other material items does not represent true democracy as political conversations intensify ahead of the 2027 elections.
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Akoh made the remarks in a statement titled “The 2027 Mandates: Rejecting the Consultation Paradox in Benue South and the Failure of the Democratic Contract,” where he warned voters against accepting what he called transactional politics disguised as empowerment.
He argued that such gestures are often used as short-term incentives that mask deeper governance failures, stressing that meaningful representation should be measured by long-term development outcomes rather than temporary giveaways.
According to him, practices such as distributing food items and farm inputs during election periods create dependency and distract citizens from demanding accountability and sustainable development.
The elder statesman also described what he termed the “Consultation Paradox,” where politicians engage communities only during election seasons but disengage once they assume office, leaving constituents without proper representation or follow-up governance.
He called for a shift in political expectations, urging voters to prioritise infrastructure, healthcare, education, electricity, and security as the real indicators of democratic dividends rather than short-term relief materials.
Akoh further cautioned against candidates who emerge only during campaign periods without a consistent track record of service, saying genuine leadership must be rooted in continuous engagement with the people.
He appealed for unity among stakeholders in Benue South, urging residents to set aside divisions and focus on collective progress, competence, and integrity when choosing leaders in 2027.
The statement also proposed clearer benchmarks for evaluating public office holders, including legislative performance, transparency in constituency projects, and regular interaction with constituents.
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As political activity increases ahead of the 2027 general elections, Akoh’s comments add to growing debates on voter education and the quality of political representation in Benue State.
