The Labour Party, LP, candidate for Calabar South Constituency II in the Cross River State House of Assembly, Affiong Joseph, has challenged politicians seeking re-election to present their performance records to voters rather than make fresh campaign promises.
Joseph said candidates who had occupied public offices for four years or more should allow their achievements, or lack of them, to form the basis of their campaigns.
Joseph, who is one of the three women vying for legislative positions, described repeated promises by non-performing officeholders as baseless, insisting that voters deserved to assess their representatives based on what they had delivered during their previous terms.
"Candidates seeking re-election should produce their performance scorecards and allow the people to evaluate them instead of making what I call unrealistic promises," she said.
The LP candidate argued that politicians who had performed creditably would not need to distribute money, rice and other inducements to secure voters' loyalty.
She also blamed what she described as failed economic policies for the hardship facing Nigerians, saying resources spent on vote-buying and political inducements could be redirected towards projects that would improve people's living conditions.
According to her, such resources would be better invested in road construction, job creation, affordable healthcare, electricity and other essential infrastructure.
Joseph said providing employment opportunities for young people and extending basic social amenities to rural and urban communities should take priority over using material inducements to win political support.
She urged voters to demand accountability from candidates seeking another mandate, stressing that electoral decisions should be based on verifiable performance rather than promises and financial inducements.
LP candidate challenges re-election bidders to present performance scorecards