Obi knocks House of Reps for overlooking vote-buying legislation

By Kingston Magare 21.12.2025
The House of Representative’s failure to legislate on vote-buying in their ongoing Electoral Act 2022 amendments hearing has irked presidential aspirant Peter Obi.
Obi who was writing on his X social media platform Sunday submitted that the lawmakers ought to have taken a firm stand against vote-buying, which is more of a major threat to Nigeria democracy.
“Just yesterday, Nigerians hoped that the House of Representatives would finally take a decisive stand against the cancer of vote-buying,” Obi stated
“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,” he said.
He called for bold reforms, insisting that Nigeria’s democratic future must not be compromised.
“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.
“A democracy where votes are bought is not a true democracy; it is a criminal marketplace. Nigeria deserves better. We must prioritise reform.
“Disturbingly, the culture of vote buying has now trickled down even to town unions, village unions, clubs and associations, as well as student elections.
“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,” he said.