The Labour Party’s former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has decried the House of Representatives’ failure to criminalise vote-buying, saying the entrenched practice has long undermined the country’s democracy and tarnished its credibility.
“Just yesterday, Nigerians hoped that the House of Representatives would finally take a decisive stand against the cancer of vote-buying,” Mr Obi said in a statement on Sunday. “This practice has long undermined our democracy and tarnished our nation’s credibility. Unfortunately, that hope was quickly extinguished.”
The House of Representatives recently approved amendments to the Electoral Act, including the introduction of stiffer penalties for vote buying and selling, with a minimum of two years’ imprisonment or a N5 million fine, or both, among others.
The approval was made during the clause-by-clause consideration of the report of the House Committee on Electoral Matters at the Committee of the Whole, presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu.
However, Mr Obi said any measures taken to stop vote-buying but fail to address the fundamental issue at its roots would not materialise.
“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,” the Labour Party chieftain said.
Mr Obi further stated that vote-buying has trickled down to various levels, including town and village unions and student elections. He blamed the practice on fraudulent politicians.
“How long will we allow our society to be corrupted when the solution lies in addressing the roots of the problem?” he queried.
The politician said any democracy in which votes are bought is not a true one but a criminal marketplace, adding that the country must prioritise urgent reform.
“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.
“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,” Mr Obi stated.