The Independent National Electoral Commission has warned that no progress can be made in Nigeria’s democracy unless all key players stop enabling vote buying and election violence.
Osun State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Mutiu Agboke, gave the warning on Sunday during a political programme, Gbagede Oselu, aired on the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State in Ibadan.
He challenged politicians, security agencies, the media, civil society, and religious leaders to stop treating elections as INEC’s burden alone.
“We cannot fight this battle alone,” Agboke said. “INEC is only one part of the system. If the media, civil society, the political class, and religious leaders don’t play their roles, we will keep repeating the same cycle of fraud and violence.”
He raised concerns over the growing reliance on money and force during elections, calling it a betrayal of the country’s democratic hopes.
“Let’s be honest, vote buying is now a culture. And even worse, some people use violence to gain the upper hand,” he said. “We need to keep talking to our people and reminding them that democracy works best when the people’s conscience, not their poverty, decides the vote.”
Agboke called for stronger voter education and urged all stakeholders to help create a culture where integrity matters more than money.
“Religious leaders cannot stay in their churches or mosques and look away,” he said. “Invite them. Ask what roles they are playing. The same goes for politicians. They are the ones who benefit most from elections, so they should be held to account.”
On preparations for the 2026 Osun governorship election, Agboke said the commission’s rules are clear, and any staff who undermines the process must be reported.
“If a BVAS machine is not working because someone failed to charge it or colluded to sabotage it, don’t fight them. Report them to security agencies,” he said.
He stressed that INEC has invested in technology and training, but warned that these efforts are useless if the broader political environment remains toxic.
“Democracy is still the best form of government for the people,” he added. “But it only works if the process is clean. We all have a role to play.”
