Peter Obi condemns vote buying in Anambra election, warning Nigerians against selling their votes and urging citizens to defend democracy and demand good governance.
The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi, has strongly condemned vote buying during the ongoing Anambra governorship election, describing it as a dangerous threat to Nigeria’s democracy.
Obi lamented that voters are being offered between ₦20,000 and ₦30,000 to sell their votes, warning that such behavior undermines the foundation of good governance and the nation’s moral values.
Speaking to journalists after monitoring the election process, Obi expressed disappointment that despite decades of democratic progress, the integrity of Nigeria’s elections continues to decline because of vote buying and other corrupt practices.
He appealed to voters to resist financial inducements, emphasizing that selling one’s vote amounts to selling the nation’s future.
“My personal experience today shows that democracy is deteriorating in our country,” Obi said.
“Sadly, those suffering from poor governance are the same ones promoting it. I heard that people are being paid ₦20,000 to ₦30,000 to vote. If you sell your vote for ₦30,000, what will you do next month? You are selling your schools, your hospitals, your jobs, and your future. That is the tragedy of it all.”
The former Anambra governor compared Nigeria’s electoral process with those of other West African nations, saying that even in developing countries close to Nigeria, he had never witnessed vote buying on such a massive scale.
“I have monitored elections in other West African countries, and I never saw this level of vote commercialization. It is a national shame,” Obi lamented.
“You journalists must help expose this. The media has a sacred role in saving democracy from decay.”
Despite reaffirming his support for the Labour Party and its candidate in the election, Obi clarified that his remarks were not politically motivated but driven by his commitment to ethical leadership and social justice.
“I’m not contesting in this election. I was governor 13 years ago, and today I’m in what I call the Champions League of Nigerian politics,” he said jokingly.
“Those contesting now are in the First Division, and I wish them well. Whoever wins should serve the people selflessly, because Nigeria needs leaders with a heart for service.”
Obi stressed that true leadership is about service to humanity, not self-interest. He argued that the real challenge facing Nigeria is not the absence of resources but the lack of responsible governance driven by integrity.
“Our people need working schools, not empty campaign promises. We must rebuild hospitals and ensure every community has access to primary healthcare.
“That’s why I continue to support nursing schools and training programs to produce more health workers for our villages,” he said.
He emphasized that vote buying is one of the root causes of Nigeria’s poor governance. According to him, politicians who pay voters to get elected often see political offices as investments to recover, rather than opportunities to serve.
“When elections are driven by money, the people lose their right to question leaders. Those who buy votes consider governance a business transaction. This is why our development is stagnant,” Obi explained.
Commenting on the recent appointment of a new chairman for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Obi said he had congratulated the appointee and encouraged him to uphold integrity and fairness in the discharge of his duties.
“I told the new INEC chairman to look at what happened to his predecessors. The name and reputation his children will live with depend on his conduct in office. While serving, he must remember that leadership is about legacy and service to humanity,” Obi advised.
He also urged Nigerians to hold institutions like INEC accountable, adding that transparent elections are essential for rebuilding public trust and ensuring that democracy delivers meaningful change.
“INEC must be neutral, the police must be professional, and voters must be responsible. If all stakeholders do the right thing, we will have credible elections that reflect the people’s will,” he stated.
Obi further called on civil society groups, faith leaders, and traditional institutions to intensify voter education campaigns against vote buying ahead of future elections.
He noted that many citizens, especially at the grassroots level, are not fully aware of how harmful selling votes can be.
“We need to start civic education early. People must understand that vote buying is not just corruption—it is self-destruction. Religious and community leaders should preach against it, and journalists must continue to expose it,” he emphasized.
The Labour Party candidate turned national moral voice concluded with a message of hope, insisting that Nigeria can still redeem its democratic values if citizens take responsibility for the choices they make at the polls.
“Our future depends not on those in power but on those who elect them,” Obi said. “If Nigerians reject vote buying and insist on credible leadership, we will build a nation that works for everyone. The power truly lies with the people.”
As the Anambra election continues, observers and analysts have echoed Obi’s concerns, noting that vote buying has become one of the most persistent obstacles to free and fair elections in Nigeria.
They argue that eradicating the practice requires both political will and civic discipline.
Electoral experts warn that unless strong reforms are introduced and offenders are prosecuted, the culture of vote buying will continue to hinder Nigeria’s democratic growth.
They stress that citizens must understand the power of their votes and use it responsibly, not as a commodity but as a tool for transformation.
For Obi, the message remains clear: democracy cannot thrive in a society where votes are traded for money. Until voters value integrity over instant cash, Nigeria’s political progress will remain fragile.
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