Ahead of the 2027 general elections, former presidential candidate Peter Obi has launched a sharp critique against the National Assembly, accusing the House of Representatives of failing to protect Nigeria’s democratic process by refusing to criminalise vote-buying at political party primaries.
In a post on his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Sunday, the Labour Party stalwart described the legislature’s decision as a deliberate move to “protect a broken system rather than safeguard the nation’s future.” His statement has ignited fresh debate on the perennial issue of electoral integrity, placing the spotlight squarely on internal party processes often described as the foundation of Nigeria’s democracy.
“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,” Obi stated unequivocally. This position aligns with long-standing observations from civil society organisations, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) itself. INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, has repeatedly noted, according to numerous commission reports, that flawed primaries directly contribute to pre-election litigations and undermine the credibility of the main election.
The data underpinning this concern is stark. A 2023 report by the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) titled ‘Money Politics and the 2023 General Elections’ revealed that vote-buying and monetary inducement remained pervasive, with party primaries identified as a particularly vulnerable stage due to less scrutiny. Similarly, the Nigerian Bar Association’s (NBA) Electoral Reform Committee, in its 2024 findings, highlighted that the “commercialisation of party nomination forms and the opaque delegate system” create a ripe environment for financial manipulation, effectively shutting out qualified candidates without deep pockets.
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Obi’s critique extends beyond the halls of the National Assembly. He expressed alarm at the normalisation of this corrupt practice, noting its trickle-down effect. “Disturbingly, the culture of vote-buying has now trickled down even to town unions, village unions, clubs and associations, as well as student elections, emulating fraudulent politicians,” he observed. This sentiment is echoed by anti-corruption advocates who argue that when political elites monetise votes with impunity, it erodes ethical standards across all tiers of society.
The constitutional and legal context adds layers to the debate. While the Electoral Act 2022 prescribes penalties for vote-buying and selling during general elections, its application to internal party affairs is less explicit. Legal experts, such as those cited in analysis by Premium Times, argue that strengthening the Act to explicitly cover primaries and confer INEC with stronger oversight powers is crucial. The failure of the recent legislative effort, therefore, is seen by analysts as a significant missed opportunity for holistic reform.
Political scientist Professor Adele Jinadu, in a recent seminar on electoral integrity hosted by the University of Lagos, framed the issue starkly: “A democracy built on a foundation of financial inducement is a democracy in name only. It produces leaders accountable to their financiers, not to the electorate.” This captures the core of Obi’s warning that “a democracy driven by inducement and bribery cannot deliver national progress.”
As the political landscape begins to subtly shift focus towards 2027, the call for foundational reform grows louder. Obi’s intervention serves as a direct challenge to lawmakers and political stakeholders. “A New Nigeria is possible,” he concluded, “but only if we confront these practices boldly and insist that integrity begins at the very start of our electoral process.”
