The Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate in the 2023 Bayelsa State election, Udengs Eradiri, has opened up about his campaign hurdles and the transactional nature of politics in Nigeria.
Naija News reports that Eradiri, in an interview with Arise News on Monday, expressed frustration within his party, lamenting the deep-rooted corruption and systemic challenges that hinder meaningful leadership and development.
The LP chieftain stated that Nigerians and his party members were not ready for change but interested in the transactional approach to politics.
He said, “They showed me pepper, both from the side of the people and also at the party. You hear that Nigerians are suffering, but once you bring money, Nigerians would forget that suffering. I was fooled.
“I thought Bayelsans and Nigerians were ready, and I did everything possible. I told them clearly, I don’t have money, but I have the capacity to change the society, to change things around.
“On the part of the party, transactional. People just put themselves together and see what they can get from the system, either the ruling party or those who have deep pockets.”
He also criticised the electoral process, alleging that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) contributes to the manipulation and systemic issues that disadvantaged candidates like him.
He stated,“The Lagos system and the judiciary of the INEC killed the moral system, and that’s what affected people like us in the electoral system who did not have the deep pockets to throw money around. The code that INEC gives to your party, they would sell it to the opponent.
“Before you know it, the opposing party has uploaded agents on your behalf. By the time you try, it would not work. Those are the transactions made.”
Reflecting on his current state, Eradiri acknowledged the toll the experience has taken on him, noting that his challenges were not unique to the LP
He added, “I’m focused on my practice, to work and generate resources and reorganize myself because I’m disorganised, having gone through that process trying to fund it.
“These shenanigans are in every party, but you get to a certain area that you can manage them.
“Human beings are the ones who are able to navigate through all those parties, probably because there is a structure that, no matter what, you would be able to find.”