Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, has criticized the House of Representatives for rejecting a proposal to criminalize vote-buying during party primaries, describing the decision as a serious setback for Nigeria’s democracy.
Obi made the remarks on Sunday in a post on X (formerly Twitter), reacting to ongoing amendments to the Electoral Act, 2022, currently being considered by the House.
He said Nigerians had expected lawmakers to take a firm stand against vote-buying, which he identified as one of the biggest threats to credible elections in the country.
“Just yesterday, Nigerians hoped that the House of Representatives would finally take a decisive stand against the cancer of vote-buying,” Obi wrote.
According to him, the refusal to criminalise inducement at the level of party primaries shows a lack of willingness to confront the root of electoral corruption.
“By refusing to criminalise vote-buying at the foundational stage of party primaries, the House has chosen to protect a broken system rather than safeguard the nation’s future,” he said.
The former Anambra State governor argued that any serious effort to end vote-buying must begin from party primaries, warning that reforms introduced later in the electoral process would be weak and ineffective.
“Any effort to stop vote-buying must begin at the primaries. Without addressing the problem at its roots, any measures taken later will lack the strength to endure,” Obi stated.
He warned that democracy loses its essence when votes are exchanged for money, describing such a system as a marketplace rather than a democratic process.
“A democracy where votes are bought is not a true democracy; it is a criminal marketplace. Nigeria deserves better. We must prioritise reform,” he added.
Obi also expressed concern that vote-buying has extended beyond politics into other areas of society, including community associations and student elections.
“Disturbingly, the culture of vote-buying has now trickled down to town unions, village unions, clubs and associations, as well as student elections,” he said.
“The future of our democracy must not be for sale. A new Nigeria is possible, but only if we confront these practices boldly and insist that integrity begins at the very start of our electoral process,” Obi said.
The House of Representatives had earlier approved stiffer penalties for some electoral offences, including increased fines for forging nomination papers and election result sheets.
However, lawmakers rejected a proposal seeking a two-year jail term for individuals who financially or materially induce delegates during party primaries, congresses or conventions, citing fears that such provisions could be abused to harass political opponents.
The House also amended provisions on over-voting, replacing automatic cancellation of results with a system that deducts excess votes proportionately while allowing for the prosecution of the presiding officer involved.
