Udengs Eradiri, the Labour Party's candidate for governorship in the 2023 Bayelsa State election, said that Nigerians are not ready for change, citing the incidents that led to his defeat in the polls.

In an interview with Arise News on Monday, December 16, he criticized the Labour Party and the political system, lamenting the deep-rooted corruption that has hindered meaningful leadership and development in the country over the years.

When asked if he is considering leaving the Labour Party to advance his political career, 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 society, to change things around.”

Eradiri expressed frustration with what he described as a “transactional” approach to politics, both within his party and the larger political system.

“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 said.

He also criticized the electoral process, alleging manipulation and systemic issues that disadvantaged candidates like him. “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,” he explained.