TACKLING VOTE BUYING IN NIGERIA’S ELECTORAL AND DEMOCRATIC SPACE

Abstract

This paper examines the practice of vote buying as an entrant into the political lexicon in Nigeria’s electoral and democratic space. The practice since its introduction in the 2018 governorship elections in Osun and Ekiti states has now assumed a bigger proportion hence, the need to interrogate it. The paper using the content analysis method adopts the domino effect theory as a basis of analysis. The objective of the paper is to examine how vote buying inhibits Nigeria’s electoral and democratic space. It argues that though vote buying appears had wide acceptance, it is an affront to constitutional democracy and the freedom of choice which democracy promotes. The paper examines factors that are enablers of vote buying and its many variants and concludes that anything that hinders freedom of choice and popular participation of the people must be discouraged and discountenanced. The paper recommends among others limiting the amount of cash withdrawals made by individuals and corporate bodies three months before the election.