A governorship aspirant of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, in Plateau State, Jude Dakur, has cautioned party members especially their National assembly candidates against trading the party’s tickets for money, saying such actions could have serious consequences for their political careers and posterity.
Dakur, who spoke with newsmen in Jos said politicians who had secured ADC tickets should not abandon the party or trade their tickets for financial gains, stressing that the party’s tickets were not for sale.
He said those who wished to leave the ADC were free to do so, but should first relinquish their party tickets rather than decamp while still holding positions won under the party.
According to him, “We are not saying that you should not decamp, but don’t decamp when you are holding our tickets. You should decamp before getting another party’s ticket.
“Those trading our tickets should be careful because the ADC tickets are not for sale.”
Dakur warned that politicians should consider the long-term implications of their actions, saying their decisions could affect not only their political careers but also the reputation of their families.
He said, “They should be mindful of their future because what they do today affects them tomorrow, affects their children and their children’s children.
“Such acts can destroy political careers and the reputation of families. Posterity will continue to judge them.”
The ADC governorship aspirant stressed the importance of integrity in politics, saying public and political figures should value their names and reputation above immediate financial gains.
He said, “A good name is better than gold. A good name will not fade away because of these cheap political considerations.
“Integrity is very important. Politicians should understand that whatever they do today will have consequences in the future.”
Dakur further urged party members who had won ADC tickets to remain committed to the platform or follow due process if they decided to leave the party.
He said the warning was not targeted at individuals who legitimately wished to change political platforms, but against the practice of retaining party tickets while negotiating or moving to another political platform.
He said, “If anybody is planning to do that, we are not saying that you should not decamp. But you should not hold our ticket and at the same time be trading it.
“Our tickets are not for sale.”
Dakur called on politicians to place integrity and the interests of their political future above immediate financial considerations, saying political decisions should be guided by principles that would stand the test of time.
