LunagisthubPeter Obi Slams House of Representatives for Failing to Criminalize Vote-Buying
The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has expressed disappointment and frustration over the House of Representatives’ decision not to criminalize vote-buying at the level of party primaries. According to Obi, this decision is a significant setback for Nigeria’s democracy and demonstrates the lawmakers’ unwillingness to confront the root causes of electoral malpractice .
Obi emphasized that vote-buying is a major problem undermining credible elections in Nigeria. He argued that efforts to curb this practice would fail if the issue is not addressed from the beginning of the electoral process, specifically at the party primaries level. By refusing to criminalize vote-buying at this stage, the House of Representatives has chosen to protect a broken system rather than safeguard the nation’s future .
The former Anambra State governor warned that democracy loses its meaning when votes are traded for money. He also expressed concern that the culture of vote-buying has spread beyond politics into other areas of society, including town unions, village unions, clubs, and associations, as well as student elections .
Obi called for bold reforms, insisting that Nigeria’s democratic future must not be compromised. He emphasized that any effort to stop vote-buying must begin at the primaries and that addressing the problem at its roots is crucial for the success of such measures. “A democracy where votes are bought is not a true democracy; it is a criminal marketplace. Nigeria deserves better. We must prioritize reform,” he said .
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