The Labour Party, LP, candidate for Calabar South State Constituency II in Cross River State, Comrade Affiong Joseph, has criticised the growing influence of money in Nigerian politics, saying it undermines candidates’ achievements, credibility and good intentions.
Joseph, who spoke in an interview on Tuesday, said the dominance of money in electoral contests often puts candidates without strong financial backing at a disadvantage.
She identified sponsorship as her major challenge in the race for the state House of Assembly seat, insisting that her gender was not a barrier to her acceptability among voters.
The former treasurer of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria said the growing tendency to favour wealthy politicians over candidates with proven records and ideas was affecting her campaign.
“The only challenge I have right now is that of sponsorship and not of acceptability because of my gender,” she said.
“In Nigeria today, money talks in politics more than achievements and good intentions of a candidate, not really because one is a woman.”
Joseph disclosed that two other women were contesting the same legislative seat on the platforms of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, while she is seeking election on the LP platform.