- The former Anambra State governor argued that party primaries remain the weakest point in the electoral process
- Obi further lamented that the tolerance of vote-buying at the political level has encouraged similar practices in community elections
- He concluded by insisting that Nigeria’s democratic renewal is achievable only if political actors confront vote-buying decisively
Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has criticised the House of Representatives for what he described as a failure to tackle the root of electoral corruption by refusing to criminalise vote-buying during party primaries.
Eko Hot Blog reports that Obi made his position known in a detailed post on his verified X account on Sunday, expressing disappointment that lawmakers missed an opportunity to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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The former Anambra State governor argued that party primaries remain the weakest point in the electoral process, where financial inducement thrives unchecked.
According to Obi, it is unrealistic to expect credible general elections when candidates emerge from primary contests tainted by bribery and manipulation.
He maintained that meaningful electoral reform must begin from the nomination stage, warning that measures introduced later in the process would lack lasting impact.
Obi further lamented that the tolerance of vote-buying at the political level has encouraged similar practices in community elections, student unions and social organisations.
He described the situation as a dangerous trend that normalises corruption and erodes democratic values across society.
Calling for urgent action, Obi urged lawmakers and citizens to demand comprehensive reforms that prioritise integrity and merit over monetary influence.
He concluded by insisting that Nigeria’s democratic renewal is achievable only if political actors confront vote-buying decisively from the very beginning of the electoral process.
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