Former Anambra State governor and Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has criticised the House of Representatives for refusing to criminalise vote buying during party primaries, describing the decision as a setback for Nigeria’s democratic reform efforts.
Mr. Obi issued the statement on Sunday, expressing disappointment that lawmakers failed to take a firm stand against inducement, which he called a major threat to credible elections and national development.
Obi also noted that Nigerians had hoped the House would act decisively at the foundational stage of the electoral process, ensuring that vote buying is addressed from the outset.
His words: “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,” Obi said.
The former governor described vote buying as creating a “criminal marketplace” rather than a functioning democracy.
He also warned that the culture of inducement has spread beyond formal politics into town unions, village associations, clubs, and student elections, where similar corrupt practices are increasingly observed.
The controversy followed the House of Representatives’ clause-by-clause consideration of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025, on December 18.
The lawmakers rejected a proposed provision that would have criminalised financial inducement of delegates during party primaries, congresses, and conventions.
The clause had suggested that violators face two years’ imprisonment without an option of a fine.
The rejected clause, numbered Clause 89(4), stated:
“A person that financially or materially induces a delegate for the purpose of influencing the outcome of the party primaries, congresses and conventions commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment of two years without an option of fine.”
The rejection by the House, presided over by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, effectively removed criminal sanctions for inducement during party primaries from the amended Electoral Act.
Obi called for urgent reforms, insisting that Nigeria must confront vote buying boldly and start enforcing integrity from the earliest stages of the electoral process to ensure a truly democratic and progressive society.
