Former Anambra State Governor and the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has called on the House of Representatives to step up efforts to decisively tackle the growing menace of vote-buying in Nigeria’s electoral system.
In a statement shared on his official 𝕏 (formerly Twitter) account on Sunday, Obi expressed deep concern over what he described as the normalization of inducement and bribery in the country’s democratic process. He argued that any system where votes are exchanged for money or favours cannot be regarded as a genuine democracy, but rather as a transactional system that undermines the will of the people.
Obi lamented that vote-buying has, over the years, weakened Nigeria’s democratic institutions and damaged the nation’s credibility both locally and internationally. According to him, meaningful development and credible leadership cannot emerge from an electoral process built on corruption. He stressed that progress remains impossible when dishonest practices are allowed to thrive unchecked.
The former governor also criticised the House of Representatives for failing to take a stronger position on criminalising vote-buying, particularly at the level of party primaries. He noted that party primaries form the foundation of the electoral process and warned that ignoring corruption at this stage only entrenches a flawed system.
Obi maintained that any serious attempt to eliminate vote-buying must begin from the earliest stages of candidate selection. Without addressing the issue at its roots, he said, later interventions would be ineffective and unsustainable. He urged lawmakers to prioritise long-term reforms over short-term political interests, emphasizing that the future of Nigeria’s democracy should not be compromised or sold.
Beyond formal politics, Obi expressed alarm that the practice of vote-buying has spread into other areas of society. He observed that town unions, village associations, social clubs, and even student elections are increasingly mirroring the unethical conduct seen in mainstream politics. According to him, this trend poses a serious moral threat to society and risks raising a generation that views corruption as normal.
He concluded by calling on Nigerians and their leaders to confront the problem with courage and sincerity. Obi reiterated his belief that national renewal is achievable, but only if integrity is enforced from the very beginning of the electoral process and corrupt practices are decisively rejected at every level.
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