Cracking the Cancer of Vote‑Buying: Peter Obi’s Call to Clean Nigeria’s Primaries

Breaking: Push to Criminalize Vote-Buying at Primaries Spurs Nationwide Reform Debate

Lag os, December 22, 2025 – A growing chorus of observers, analysts, and political actors is pressing for a hard-edged reform: criminalize vote-buying at the primaries where parties select their candidates. The call follows warnings that buying votes at the outset of elections legitimizes corruption, reshapes incentives, and weakens public trust.

Why the primaries are at the heart of the crisis

Advocates argue that if bribery is allowed to occur during party primaries, it becomes the template for later races.When cash wins early,candidates win not for merit or policy but for the ability to mobilize payments and payments logistics. Strengthening guardrails at this early stage could change behaviour downstream and curb the normalization of corruption across civic life.

Critics say political systems move slowly, and superficial talk about “free and fair elections” is hollow without concrete, enforceable rules from the start. Criminalizing vote-buying at the primary level is seen as a foundational step that could deter later infractions and restore legitimacy to elected office.

For context on current debates and related political dynamics,see coverage from major accountability and election watchdogs: Transparency International and International IDEA.

The damage goes beyond one election cycle

Vote-buying is described as a threat to democratic legitimacy and national development. When leaders rise on cash rather than consensus, policies bend to private interests, and public service is deprioritized. Corruption becomes a self-perpetuating system rather than a single act, spreading from national politics to local unions, clubs, and student elections. This pattern corrodes trust and makes civic life feel transactional rather than principled.

A missed chance and what it signals

some lawmakers are accused of declining to criminalize primary-level vote-buying, choices that critics interpret as a signal of tolerance for a broken system. When institutions fail to tighten rules against unfair practices, supporters of reform argue, the public perceives complicity or at least a lack of will to safeguard the future.

What real action could look like

Experts propose a multi-pronged package:

• Criminalize vote-buying at the primary stage with precise definitions, enforceable penalties, and independent investigative bodies.
• Enforce party discipline by requiring certification to be withheld from candidates who evidenceably bought support.
• strengthen civic education so citizens understand that the value of their vote extends beyond immediate gifts.
• Establish robust oversight that can operate independently of party influence.

There is no single magic fix, but the logic is clear: address the problem where it first appears, and you shift incentives for future elections. For deeper context on reforms and accountability,readers can consult external analyses from watchdog groups and election think tanks linked above.

A path that requires more than law

Legal reform must be coupled with party accountability and civil society engagement. Socioeconomic conditions often heighten vulnerability to bribery; thus, reducing poverty, inequality, and distrust should accompany legislative changes. The broader aim is to demonstrate that public office is a obligation to be earned, not a commodity to be purchased.

Key facts at a glance

Aspect	Current Challenge	Proposed Remedy	Expected Impact
Primary-level vote-buying	Gaps in enforcement allow purchase of support during candidate selection.	Criminalize with clear definitions and independent investigations.	Deterrence,cleaner candidate pools,stronger legitimacy.
party certification	Candidates who bought support can still be endorsed.	Disqualify or refuse certification for proven cases.	Better alignment with democratic norms and public trust.
Civic education	Limited public understanding of long-term value of votes.	Widespread,ongoing voter education campaigns.	Long-term cultural shift toward ethical participation.
Guardrails and oversight	Weak independent mechanisms.	Empower independent bodies with resources and authority.	Consistent enforcement and credible accountability.

voices from the ground

Analysts say leadership at both national and local levels must model integrity and demonstrate that public service is a public trust, not a personal wallet. Community activists continue to highlight examples of ethical leadership and resilience as beacons for reform.The conversation is ongoing, but momentum is growing around concrete, enforceable steps that can reshape how electoral power is won and exercised.

Engagement: your take matters

Do you believe primaries should be the first line of defense against vote-buying, or should reforms extend deeper into party processes and funding rules? How should governments balance the need for quick reforms with the requirements of due process?

Next steps and what to watch

observers will monitor any new legislation for teeth and independence. Watch for proposals detailing penalties, investigative bodies, and party certification rules, along with sustained civic education campaigns designed to reinforce ethical voting habits across generations.

Share your thoughts below and stay tuned for updates as lawmakers and civil society push for a cleaner,more accountable electoral process.

Related reading: Transparency International on elections and corruption and international IDEA on primaries and elections.

Understanding Vote‑Buying in NigeriaS Primaries

Vote‑buying remains one of the most pervasive challenges undermining internal party democracy. The practice typically involves cash, goods, or promised jobs exchanged for votes during primary contests, distorting candidate selection and eroding public trust. Recent analyses by the International Crisis Group and Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) estimate that up to 30 % of primary votes are influenced by monetary inducements, especially in high‑stakes gubernatorial and senatorial districts.

Peter Obi’s Public Appeal

• June 2025 interview (Channels TV): “Vote‑buying is a cancer that kills our democratic spirit. If we do not cleanse our primaries now, the 2027 general election will be a farce.”
• July 2025 town‑hall in Abuja: Obi urged party chairpersons to adopt a “zero‑tolerance policy” and signed a “Clean Primary Charter” with representatives from the PDP, APC, Labor Party, and NNPP.
• Speech at the National democratic Forum (NDaF), August 2025: Emphasised the link between clean primaries and credible national elections, calling on the INEC and EFCC to fast‑track prosecutions of offenders.

Impact of Vote‑Buying on Party Primaries

Consequence	Description	Real‑World Example (2023‑2024)
Distorted Candidate Pool	Talented aspirants are sidelined for those who can pay bribes.	APC primary for Lagos governorship (2024) saw the disqualification of two reformist candidates after allegations of cash‑for‑vote schemes.
Reduced Voter Turnout	Grassroots members lose faith and abstain from voting.	PDP primary in Enugu (2023) recorded a 22 % drop in delegate attendance compared with 2019.
Legal Repercussions	Candidates and operatives face criminal charges under the Electoral Offences Act 2022.	EFCC’s 2024 “Operation Clean Vote” resulted in convictions of 15 party operatives across five states.
International Reputation Damage	Election observers label the process “flawed,” affecting foreign aid and investment.	The Commonwealth Election Observation Mission (CEOM) flagged vote‑buying as a “systemic risk” in its 2024 report on Nigerian primaries.

Legal Framework and Recent Reforms

1. Electoral Offences Act (2022, Amendment 2024): Introduces a N50 million fine and 3‑year imprisonment for individuals caught buying or selling votes in any electoral tier.
2. INEC Resolution 12/2025: Mandates live streaming of all primary ballot boxes and real‑time electronic results for parties that adopt the e‑Primary Platform.
3. EFCC Directive (February 2025): Requires parties to submit a “Vote‑Buying Risk Assessment” before each primary, with non‑compliant parties facing suspension of their primary schedule.
4. Political Parties’ Internal Codes: The Labour Party and PDP have revised their constitutions to include “Zero‑Tolerant Clauses” on vote‑buying, enforceable by party tribunals.

Practical Steps to Clean Primaries (for party officials and delegates)

1. Pre‑Primary Screening

• Verify the financial disclosures of all aspirants.
• Conduct background checks through the EFCC’s Integrated Criminal Record system.

2. Obvious financing

• Publish a budget ledger for each primary, detailing venue costs, logistics, and security expenses.
• Require all campaign contributions to be bank‑mandated, with receipts filed in the party’s audit office.

3. Observer Deployment

• Invite Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) such as YIAGA Africa and Media houses to act as independent monitors.
• Use GPS‑enabled devices to track delegate movements and flag irregular congregation near polling stations.

4. Digital Verification

• Implement biometric verification for each delegate via the e‑Primary Platform.
• Enable QR‑code authentication for voting cards,reducing the likelihood of duplicate votes.

5. Post‑Primary Audits

• Conduct a randomized audit of 10 % of ballot papers within 48 hours of result declaration.
• Publish audit findings on the party’s official website and on INEC’s Transparency Portal.

Case Studies: Recent Primary Contests Affected by Vote‑Buying

• Lagos State APC Gubernatorial Primary (May 2024): Allegations of ₦2 million “cash handouts” to delegates surfaced after the primary. The EFCC launched Operation Clean Vote Lagos, resulting in the seizure of ₦5 million and the suspension of the primary’s victor pending tribunal review.
• Enugu PDP Senatorial Primary (December 2023): A whistleblower uploaded a video showing a delegate receiving a mobile phone and shopping vouchers in exchange for a vote. The incident prompted INEC to order a re‑run of the primary, marking the first instance of a re‑run due to proven vote‑buying.
• Kano Labour Party Primary (February 2025): Leveraging the new e‑Primary Platform, the party successfully recorded 100 percent live‑stream coverage. No irregularities were reported, and the primary was hailed as a “model of transparency” by the Nigerian Institute of Public Policy (NIPP).

Benefits of Eliminating Vote‑buying

• Enhanced Credibility: Parties gain legitimacy, attracting both local and international donors.
• fair Competition: Merit‑based candidacy encourages policy‑driven campaigns rather than cash‑driven ones.
• higher Voter Engagement: Grassroots members are more likely to participate when they trust the process.
• Legal safeguards: Reduces exposure to prosecution under the Electoral offences Act, protecting party reputation.

Stakeholder Roles in Maintaining Clean Primaries

Stakeholder	Primary Responsibilities
Voters/Delegates	Report any solicitation of money; verify identity via biometric checks.
Political Parties	Enforce internal codes, provide transparent financing, and cooperate with observers.
INEC	Deploy e‑Primary technology, monitor compliance with Resolution 12/2025, sanction non‑compliant parties.
EFCC	Investigate tip‑offs, prosecute offenders, and publish annual “Vote‑buying Index.”
Civil Society & Media	Conduct independent monitoring, publish investigative reports, and educate the public on voting rights.

Monitoring and Enforcement Tools

• e‑Primary Platform (2025 rollout): Real‑time vote tally, blockchain‑secured ballot logs, and automated anomaly detection.
• Mobile Reporting App (VoteWatch NG): Allows delegates to anonymously flag suspicious activities with geo‑tagged photos.
• Social Media Analytics: INEC’s partnership with Twitter’s Election Integrity Program to track hashtag trends like #NoVoteBuying and identify coordinated disinformation.
• financial Tracking Software (FinTrack Pro): Utilized by parties to monitor campaign expenditures against approved budgets.

Future Outlook and Recommendations

1. Scale Electronic Primaries Nationwide – INEC should prioritize the deployment of the e‑Primary Platform to all states before the 2027 election cycle.
2. Strengthen Whistleblower Protection – Amend the Whistleblower Protection Act (2023) to include specific safeguards for primary‑level informants.
3. Institutionalize Civic Education – Partner with universities and NGOs to embed “Electoral Integrity” modules into civic curricula, targeting future delegates and party activists.
4. Cross‑Party Committees – Establish a “Clean Primary Council” comprising representatives from all major parties, tasked with reviewing complaints and recommending sanctions.
5. Periodic Audits by Independent Firms – Mandate biennial audits by internationally accredited firms (e.g., PwC, KPMG) to assess compliance with the Clean Primary Charter.

By aligning legislative reforms, technological innovation, and active stakeholder participation, Nigeria can begin to eradicate the “cancer of vote‑buying” that Peter Obi has repeatedly highlighted, paving the way for truly democratic primaries and credible elections in 2027 and beyond.