“If I’m Not Corrupt, How Can I Maintain My Seat?” – Cletus Avoka | Politics

Cletus Avoka, Member of Parliament for Zebilla has ascribed the perceived incessant corruption in the Legislature to unreasonable demands placed on parliamentarians, particularly by the public and constituents.

There is a perceived corruption amongst Parliamentarians.

In an interview with Starr FM monitored by Peacefmonline.com, the MP outlined the challenges lawmakers face due to the frequent financial requests.

Hon. Avoka explained that the excessive demands of the public make it practically impossible for MPs to avoid engaging in corrupt activities.

In a Daily Graphic publication, dated June 21, 2017, the Speaker of Parliament who, at the time, was the Member of Parliament for Nadowli Kaleo in the Upper West region, alluded to the fact that he together with other members of Parliament are corrupt because of the system.

In the same vein, Hon. Cletus Avoka pointed out that many MPs find themselves using their positions for business instead of focusing on Parliamentary business. This is because, they need to accrue the money to meet the demands of their constituents.

He therefore asked the media to understand the lawmakers, emphasizing that the financial pressures MPs face, such as requests for healthcare expenses, wedding contributions, and school fees, contribute to the perception of corruption.

“Everyday MoMo. Everyday MoMo. Somebody is sick and has to go to the hospital, you have to send money, somebody is going to do a wedding you have to send money, they are going to do outdooring, they are asking for you. They are asking for school fees and whatnot.

“Many of us lose the election or Primaries not because we are not doing well but because we’re not giving money out. How do you give money out if you come and stay in parliament for 8 hours debating? You’re debating for 5 or 8 hours, you go home in the evening to sleep, and the following day you have no money to send. You have to go out and look for the money.”

Hon. Avoka was asked if this situation they are facing justifies the assertion that all MPs are corrupt; he answered in the affirmative, emphasizing that to maintain their seats, MPs often need to seek additional resources, which may involve engaging in external activities to generate extra income.

He explained, “If I’m not corrupt, how can I maintain my seat? You have to be corrupt in one way or another. You have to look for more resources. If you have to look for more resources, you have to go out and do some work for a contractor. As a lawyer, maybe prepare a bill, or do this and that and what not? So I have half attention here, and half attention outside because I need more resources to be able to maintain my seat.”