The recent Ondo state election saw continued reports of vote-buying, with experts attributing the phenomenon to both economic hardship and a deeply ingrained culture of corruption within Nigeria’s political system.
Jennifer Dafwat, Communications Officer for the election monitoring group Yiaga Africa, linked widespread vote-buying to the economic struggles facing many voters.
She stressed the importance of fostering political awareness and educating citizens on the true value of their votes.
Similarly, Debo Adeniran, Executive Director of the Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership, argued that while poverty plays a role, the pervasive corruption within the political system is a significant driver of the illegal practice.
In its interim report on the election, the Police Service Commission (PSC) acknowledged reports of vote-buying in certain polling stations, confirming that this has become a troubling and recurring issue in elections across the country.
Despite these reports, PSC spokesperson Ikechukwu Ani praised the security forces deployed for the election, noting their commendable efforts in maintaining order.
