The Menace of Vote-Buying In Elections in Nigeria. Need To Enforce Applicable Law

Abstract

This paper appraises vote-buying under Nigerian law. It defines vote-buying as  postulated by various scholars. It traces the history of voters’ right in Nigeria and states the prevalence of vote-buying in the political landscape of Nigeria. It examines the law governing vote buying which is the Electoral Act and states that the law is adequate but lacks enforcement by way of prosecution. The paper mentions that vote-buying if not checked is a threat to Nigeria’s nascent democracy as 2023 elections draw near. It  states  that extant provisions of the Electoral Act dealing with vote-buying must be invoked in cases where they have been breached and alleged offenders arraigned before the courts. It concludes by proferring solutions to vote buying in Nigeria by making reference to the United States where the issue of vote-buying has been minimally reduced amongst others through the economic empowerment of the citizenry by the government.