By Kosi Tochukwu
2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has criticised the House of Representatives for refusing to criminalise vote-buying at party primaries, calling it a major setback for Nigeria’s democracy ahead of the 2027 elections.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, the former Anambra State governor described vote-buying as a “cancer” undermining the nation’s democratic process.
He argued that credible elections cannot emerge from corrupt foundations, insisting that anti-vote-buying measures must start at the primaries where candidates are first selected.
“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,” Obi wrote.
He warned that a democracy driven by bribery creates a “criminal marketplace” rather than genuine governance and noted that the culture of vote-buying has spread to town unions, village associations, clubs, and even student elections.
Obi urged lawmakers and political stakeholders to prioritise electoral reforms ahead of 2027, stressing that Nigeria’s democratic future depends on confronting these practices from the very start.
“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 added.
