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Showing posts with the label electoral corruption in Nigeria

Vote Buying in Kaduna: A Symptom of Nigeria’s Deeper Electoral Corruption

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Vote Buying in Kaduna: A Symptom of Nigeria’s Deeper Electoral Corruption The arrest of a man in Kaduna with ₦25 million cash allegedly meant for vote buying during the elections is yet another reminder of the deep rot in Nigeria’s democratic system. While the police deserve commendation for swift action, the bigger question remains: will this lead to real accountability or fade into the endless list of electoral scandals? The Anatomy of Vote Buying Vote buying has become a disturbing constant in Nigerian elections. Parties and candidates openly deploy cash, food, or material inducements to sway voters. In a country where poverty is widespread, many citizens view such offers as a temporary lifeline. But what often goes unspoken is that this practice transforms elections from a contest of ideas into a marketplace of influence . When cash replaces conscience, leaders emerge not by popular legitimacy but by financial power. Such leaders, having “invested” in securing votes, often ...