Abuja: Dr Emmanuel Afolabi, FCT Coordinator of the Initiative for Better and Brighter Nigeria (IBBN), has expressed concern over the increasing cases of vote-buying and called for tougher penalties to protect the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process. Afolabi made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, urging government to enforce stringent sanctions against offenders.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Afolabi emphasized the urgent need for legislative reforms to curb the menace of vote-buying, which he described as a significant threat to democratic governance. He argued that without stringent penalties, offenders would continue to undermine electoral integrity, thus eroding public trust in the system.
Afolabi highlighted that vote-buying not only compromises the democratic process but also disenfranchises the electorate, who may be swayed by financial inducements rather than making informed decisions. He urged stakeholders, including civil society organizations, to advocate for stronger electoral laws and to engage in voter education to mitigate the practice.
The IBBN coordinator further called on the judiciary to ensure swift prosecution of those caught engaging in vote-buying, to serve as a deterrent to others. He stressed that a collaborative effort from all sectors of society is necessary to eliminate this electoral malpractice and to promote transparent and credible elections in Nigeria.