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The issue of vote buying has emerged as a critical challenge in Nigeria’s electoral process, demanding urgent collective action to safeguard democratic integrity. This was the central message from Dr. Garba Dauda, Director of the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) West Africa, during his appearance on Electoral Reform Hour on Radio Nigeria.

Dr. Dauda, a seasoned expert in Democratic Governance and Policy Advocacy, emphasized that vote buying is a pervasive problem capable of undermining the credibility of elections and eroding public trust in Democracy. Reflecting on his observations from the recent Ondo elections, he noted two significant issues: voter apathy and vote buying.

“Voter apathy and vote buying are interrelated,” Dr. Dauda explained. “When citizens do not participate in the electoral process, it creates an opportunity for unscrupulous politicians to exploit the few who show up by purchasing their votes.”

Dr. Dauda stressed that tackling vote buying requires a multi-stakeholder approach involving government agencies, political parties, civil society organizations, and citizens. He highlighted the important  role of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) in educating and mobilizing citizens, particularly at the grassroots level, where the impact of vote buying is most pronounced.

He further argued that vote buying often reflects broader societal issues, such as poverty and unequal access to resources. “Politicians weaponize poverty to sway voters. This undermines the principle of free will in elections, which is the cornerstone of any democracy,” he stated.

Dr. Dauda called on political parties to prioritize voter education and mobilization, ensuring that the electorate understands the power of their votes. “The fact that politicians are willing to buy votes shows that those votes matter,” he said. “Citizens must recognize this and exercise their rights responsibly.”

He  also lauded the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for recent improvements in electoral logistics, such as early opening of polls and enhanced deployment of the BVAS technology. However, he cautioned against complacency, urging INEC to sustain these gains while intensifying efforts to combat vote buying.

In closing, Dr. Dauda expressed support for conducting all elections on the same day as a way to streamline the electoral process and reduce costs. However, he emphasized the need for comprehensive voter education to ensure citizens can navigate the complexities of a single-day voting system. “If the electorate is well-informed and the necessary logistical groundwork is laid, a same-day election could be a significant step forward for Nigeria’s democracy.”

LISTEN TO THE FULL DISCUSSION HERE