Peter Obi, 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, has faulted the House of Representatives for rejecting a proposal to criminalise vote-buying during party primaries. saying
Gatekeepers News reports that the criticism followed a decision taken on Thursday when lawmakers, while reviewing a report on amendments to the Electoral Act 2022, voted against a clause seeking to outlaw inducement of voters at the primary election stage.
Reacting in a statement shared on X on Sunday, Obi said many Nigerians expected the lower chamber to confront the issue head-on, noting that the practice has weakened the credibility of elections over the years.
The politician described the refusal as a setback to ongoing efforts to clean up the country’s electoral process.
He wrote, “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.”
“Credible elections cannot be built on corrupt foundations, and national progress cannot be achieved while inducement and bribery are legitimised in the democratic 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.
A democracy where votes are bought is not a true democracy; it is a criminal marketplace.”
“Nigeria deserves better. We must prioritise reform. The future of our democracy must not be for sale.”
Obi also warned that voter inducement has spread beyond formal politics into town and village unions, clubs, associations, and student union elections, where he said young people now copy the behaviour of dishonest politicians.
He asked, “How long will we allow our society to be corrupted when the solution lies in addressing the roots of the problem?”
