The Labour Party candidate for Calabar South State Constituency II in Cross River State, Comrade Affiong Joseph, has criticised the growing influence of money in Nigerian politics, warning that it sidelines credible candidates and undermines merit in electoral contests.
Joseph, who spoke in an interview on Tuesday, said the emphasis on financial muscle often places candidates with limited resources at a disadvantage, regardless of their achievements, credibility or policy ideas.
She identified inadequate campaign funding as her biggest challenge in the race for a seat in the Cross River State House of Assembly, but maintained that her gender had not affected her acceptance among voters.
The former treasurer of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria argued that the growing preference for wealthy politicians over candidates with proven records and clear ideas was hampering her campaign and weakening the role of competence in Nigerian politics.
