Patrick Odey ,Uyo

A former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Victor Attah, on Saturday said giving of automatic tickets to politicians for reelection  was the beginning of the problems in the electoral process and democracy.

He said such would not give people the opportunity to select other candidates of their choice.

Attah said this in Uyo, during his 80th birthday symposium with the theme, “Leadership for sustainable democratic culture in Africa.”

He said, “The fundamental problem of democracy is the method of selection we are witnessing today. The process of selection is where the problem of democracy starts.

“Today, the investors or people who bring the money to run the parties will sit down somewhere and tell you that there  is something called automatic ticket.

‘‘For goodness sake how can you have an automatic ticket and claim you are running democracy? Are people not expected to select those who will represent and rule over them? When did we get to this sorry state?“

 The former governor maintained that unless parties are funded and run by the people, democracy and electoral process would still remain at risk.

 He also advised office holders to exhibit the qualities of a leader and not to see themselves as gods while in office.

 ‘‘While you are in office, also be a leader. If you can combine the qualities of leaders and have an authority in the office, believe me you will do well and you might be lucky  you will not have enemies,” he said.

 The state Governor, Udom Emmanuel, in his remarks described Attah as a selfless leader who fought tirelessly for the people of the state and laid the foundation for economic growth and development in the state.

“I see a leader (Attah) who genuinely loves, fought, stood for his people and worked tirelessly for his people. You played politics without name calling

 “Politics will come and politics will go, but the Akwa Ibom project will remain,” he said.

source:  https://punchng.com/ex-akwa-ibom-governor-faults-automatic-tickets-for-politicians/