"If you are not corrupt, how can you maintain your seat" — Former MP blames increasing demands of constituents

Former Member of Parliament for Zebilla, Cletus Avoka

Former Member of Parliament for Zebilla, Cletus Avoka, has reignited debate on the link between political corruption and the growing financial expectations placed on elected officials, warning that the constant pressure to give out money is pushing many politicians into unethical practices.

Speaking in an interview with GHOne TV, Avoka said the culture of incessant monetary requests from constituents has created a system where politicians feel compelled to source funds by any means necessary just to remain relevant.

He described the situation as overwhelming and unsustainable. According to him, MPs are routinely inundated with requests ranging from mobile money transfers to funding social, cultural, and personal expenses of individuals within their constituencies.

“Every day, Momo. Every day, Momo. Somebody is sick in the hospital, you have to send money. Somebody is going to do a wedding, you have to send money,” he lamented. “They are going to do adore, they are asking for you. They are asking for school fees and whatnot.”

Avoka argued that these financial pressures have become a key factor behind many electoral defeats in internal party contests. He said politicians often lose primaries not because they lack competence or commitment, but because they are unable to keep up with the endless cash demands from supporters.

“Many of us lose primaries and elections, not because we are not doing good work, but because you are not giving money out,” he noted.

He pointed out the contradiction of MPs spending long hours in Parliament, only to be expected to provide financial assistance immediately after. He said legislators often leave the chamber late in the day with no time to engage in any activity that could earn them extra income.

“How do you give the money out if you come and stay there for eight hours? You are debating for five hours or eight hours and close in the evening and go to sleep. The following day you have no money to send. You have to go out and look for the money,” he explained.

When the interviewer remarked that this cycle forms the breeding ground for corruption, Avoka fully agreed.

“Yeah, that’s where the corruption starts. If I’m not corrupt, how can I maintain my seat? You have to be corrupt in one way or the other,” he admitted.

Avoka’s comments add to widening calls for structural reforms to reduce the financial burdens on politicians and break the link between public expectations and corrupt practices.