Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has faulted the House of Representatives over its refusal to criminalise vote-buying at the level of party primaries, describing the move as a serious setback for Nigeria’s democratic growth.
Obi made his position known on Sunday via a post on X (formerly Twitter), while reacting to the ongoing amendments to the Electoral Act, 2022, currently being considered by the House.
According to him, many Nigerians had expected lawmakers to take a decisive stance against vote-buying, which he described 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.
He argued that by refusing to criminalise inducement at party primaries, lawmakers had failed to confront the problem at its foundation.
“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 stressed that any serious attempt to end vote-buying must begin from party primaries, where candidates first emerge.
“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 become commodities exchanged for money, rather than expressions of the people’s will.
“A democracy where votes are bought is not a true
Obi further expressed concern over what he described as the spread of vote-buying culture beyond politics into everyday social structures.
“Disturbingly, the culture of vote-buying has now trickled down even to town unions, village unions, clubs and associations, as well as student elections,” he noted.
He concluded with a call for bold and uncompromising reforms, insisting that Nigeria’s democratic future must not be sacrificed.
“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.
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives recently approved stiffer penalties for several electoral offences during deliberations on amendments to the Electoral Act, 2022. Lawmakers increased the fine for forging nomination papers or election result sheets from ₦50 million to ₦75 million or a 10-year prison term, and approved a ₦5 million fine for the improper use of a voter’s card.
However, the House rejected a proposal seeking a two-year jail term for individuals who financially or materially induce delegates to influence the outcome of party primaries, congresses or conventions. Lawmakers cited concerns that such provisions could be abused to harass political opponents.
In addition, the House removed a clause mandating the outright cancellation of election results in polling units where over-voting occurs. This was replaced with a framework allowing excess votes to be deducted proportionately from candidates’ totals, while the presiding officer faces prosecution.
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