Prominent activist Aisha Yesufu, has sparked debate over Nigeria’s electoral integrity, arguing that vote buying should be decriminalised if authorities cannot or will not stop the practice.
Yesufu made the remark on Saturday amid allegations of voter inducement during the Ekiti State governorship election.
Reacting to reports of vote trading in parts of the state, she criticised the failure of institutions to enforce electoral laws, saying politicians who follow the rules are often placed at a disadvantage.
“At this rate, vote buying should be decriminalised in Nigeria,” she wrote in a post on X.
Yesufu said the continued prevalence of vote buying despite existing laws has created a system where candidates who refused to induce voters are effectively punished, while those accused of engaging in the practice continue to benefit politically.
She argued that if the trend remains unchecked, elections could become mere financial contests rather than platforms for campaigns, debates and policy discussions.
“Instead of candidates wasting money on campaigns, let everyone wait for Election Day and bargain. The highest bidder wins, and you save your money!” she stated.
Yesufu’s comments come amid allegations of vote buying from different parts of Ekiti State during the governorship election, although the claims have not been independently verified.
She also questioned the effectiveness of efforts to curb electoral offences, maintaining that persistent reports of voter inducement threaten the credibility of elections and weaken public confidence in democracy.
“This nonsense needs to stop!” she added.
Vote buying remains an offence under Nigerian electoral laws, with security and anti-corruption agencies often deployed during elections to monitor and prevent such practices. However, allegations of voter inducement have continued to surface in several elections across the country.
