Re-electing Corrupt Politicians Amounts to Endorsing Failure — Otiti

ABUJA — The Acting Nat’l President of the Guild of Online Media Editors and Publishers Of Nigeria, GOMEP Comr. Akpovoke Otiti has condemned the recurring trend of voters returning corrupt politicians to public office, warning that such decisions continue to undermine democratic progress and entrench bad governance.

Otiti stated that citizens who repeatedly elect leaders with questionable records must bear part of the responsibility for the nation’s political and economic setbacks.

According to him, the cycle of re electing failed and corrupt leaders reflects a troubling acceptance of mediocrity and betrayal in public service.

“A goat that walks into a slaughterhouse twice did not come for a tour,” he said, using the metaphor to illustrate what he described as the dangerous consequences of repeated political mistakes.

He stressed that democracy is not merely about casting votes, but about making informed choices that advance accountability, transparency, and national development.

Otiti noted that while poverty, vote-buying, and weak institutions often influence electoral decisions, citizens must rise above temporary gains and focus on long-term leadership quality.

“When people knowingly return corrupt politicians to office every four years, they become active participants in the suffering they later complain about. The ballot is not a ritual; it is a tool for change,” he said.

He further argued that the electorate must reject sentiment driven politics and hold leaders accountable for their records in office.

“The tragedy of our democracy is not just in the corruption of politicians, but in the willingness of the people to reward failure. A nation that keeps recycling compromised leaders should not expect transformation,” he added.

The Guild Acting Nat’l President called for intensified civic education and political awareness, urging citizens to exercise their democratic rights with wisdom and responsibility.
He maintained that until voters begin to value integrity over inducement, the struggle for good governance would remain elusive.