By Ihechi Enyinnaya
The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr Peter Obi, has criticised the House of Representatives for failing to criminalise vote-buying during party primaries, describing the decision as a disservice to Nigeria’s democracy.
Obi said the refusal to address vote-buying at the foundational stage of elections undermines efforts to build a credible democratic system in the country.
The former Anambra State governor made the remarks in a post titled “Vote Buying Must Be Stopped at the Roots” on his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle, @PeterObi, on Sunday.
He argued that credible elections cannot be built on corrupt foundations and warned that national progress would remain elusive as long as inducement and bribery are tolerated in the democratic process.
He said Nigerians had hoped the House of Representatives would take a decisive stand against vote-buying but were disappointed by its failure to criminalise the practice at party primaries.
“Any effort to stop vote-buying must begin at the primaries. Without addressing the problem at its roots, measures taken later will lack the strength to endure,” Obi said.
He further warned that vote-buying has spread beyond formal elections to town unions, village associations, clubs, and even student elections, mirroring the conduct of fraudulent politicians.
“A democracy where votes are bought is not a true democracy; it is a criminal marketplace. Nigeria deserves better,” he stated.
Obi stressed that electoral reform must begin with integrity at the earliest stage of the process, adding that a new Nigeria is possible only if the country confronts the culture of vote-buying boldly.