TACKLING VOTE BUYING IN NIGERIA’S ELECTORAL AND DEMOCRATIC SPACE

Abstract

This paper examines the practice of vote buying as an entrant into the politicallexicon in Nigeria’s electoral and democratic space. The practice since its introduction inthe 2018 governorship elections in Osun and Ekiti states has now assumed a biggerproportion hence, the need to interrogate it. The paper using the content analysis methodadopts the domino effect theory as a basis of analysis. The objective of the paper is toexamine how vote buying inhibits Nigeria’s electoral and democratic space. It argues thatthough vote buying appears had wide acceptance, it is an affront to constitutionaldemocracy and the freedom of choice which democracy promotes. The paper examinesfactors that are enablers of vote buying and its many variants and concludes that anythingthat hinders freedom of choice and popular participation of the people must be discouragedand discountenanced. The paper recommends among others limiting the amount of cashwithdrawals made by individuals and corporate bodies three months before the election.