Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has criticised members of the House of Representatives for declining to criminalise vote-buying during party primaries, describing the decision as a setback for Nigeria’s democratic development.
He said the move represented a missed chance to strengthen the electoral system and advance meaningful reforms.
Obi made the remarks as lawmakers debated proposed amendments to the Electoral Act, 2022, noting that many Nigerians had anticipated firm action against vote-buying, particularly at the early stages of the electoral process when candidates are selected.
Reacting via a post on X on Sunday, Obi expressed dissatisfaction with the outcome of the House’s deliberations, stating that the expectation was for legislators to address loopholes that continue to undermine the credibility of 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 the refusal to criminalise inducement at party primaries reflected an absence of political will to reform the electoral system from its base.
“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 maintained that efforts to curb vote-buying after the primaries would be ineffective, stressing that manipulation often begins during the candidate selection process.
“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,” he stated.
Obi further warned that when financial inducement determines electoral outcomes, democracy is stripped of its essence.
“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.
He also expressed concern that vote-buying has become entrenched beyond politics, spreading into other areas of social life.
“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 said.
Obi concluded by urging urgent and courageous reforms, insisting that political expediency should not be allowed to undermine Nigeria’s democratic future.
“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,” he said.
His comments came amid ongoing legislative reviews of the Electoral Act. The House of Representatives has recently approved stiffer penalties for certain electoral offences, including increased fines and longer prison terms for forging nomination papers and election result sheets, as well as sanctions for the misuse of permanent voters’ cards.
However, lawmakers rejected a proposal seeking jail terms for individuals who financially or materially induce delegates during party primaries, congresses or conventions. The clause was reportedly dropped over concerns that it could be abused to witch-hunt political opponents.
In another key amendment, the House reviewed provisions on over-voting. Rather than cancelling results outright in affected polling units, excess votes would now be deducted proportionately from candidates’ totals, while the presiding officer would be prosecuted.
