2027: Lawyer Warns Politicians, Voters Against Vote Buying

A Lagos-based legal practitioner, Mrs Jenifer Achimuagole-Obia, has cautioned politicians and voters against engaging in vote buying and selling ahead of the 2027 general election, warning that both practices attract criminal sanctions under Nigerian law.

Achimuagole-Obia, who spoke in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Friday, said the Electoral Act 2022 imposes liability not only on those who offer inducements but also on voters who accept them.

She said electoral bribery should not be dismissed as a routine feature of political contests, noting that the law treats inducements aimed at influencing voting decisions as serious offences.

According to her, Section 121 of the Electoral Act 2022 covers the giving, offering or promising of money, gifts, loans and other forms of valuable consideration intended to influence a person’s decision to vote, abstain from voting or support the return of a candidate.

She explained that the provision also applies to voters who receive or agree to receive such benefits in exchange for their electoral choices.

“Vote buying is a punishable criminal offence in Nigeria and, importantly, the law criminalises both the person offering or giving the inducement and the voter who receives or agrees to receive it,” she said.

Achimuagole-Obia stressed that voters could not avoid responsibility simply because they were on the receiving end of the transaction.

She said accepting money, gifts, employment, loans or other benefits in return for a vote could amount to an offence under the law.

“A voter cannot escape liability simply because he or she is the recipient of the inducement. The law recognises the act of receiving or agreeing to receive a benefit in exchange for a vote as an offence,” she said.

The lawyer also drew attention to the penalties attached to electoral bribery, saying a conviction under Section 121(4) could attract a fine of up to N500,000, a prison term of up to 12 months, or both.

She warned political actors and their supporters against viewing cash inducements and other incentives as harmless campaign strategies.

“The consequences are clear: anyone convicted of electoral bribery may face a fine, imprisonment, or both. Therefore, politicians and voters should not treat vote buying as a harmless electoral practice,” she said.

Achimuagole-Obia added that liability could extend beyond the person who physically gives or receives an inducement.

According to her, individuals who aid, encourage, conspire or otherwise facilitate electoral bribery may also face legal consequences.

She further noted that candidates could be held responsible where such acts were carried out with their knowledge and consent.

“Those who facilitate, encourage or participate in electoral bribery should also be mindful that the law does not only target the person who physically hands over the money or gift,” she said.

The legal practitioner urged political parties and candidates to focus on issues, policies and programmes rather than inducements, while calling on voters to make their choices without financial pressure or coercion.

She said safeguarding the integrity of the 2027 elections would require both political actors and the electorate to respect the provisions of the Electoral Act.

“In my view, vote buying should not be regarded as merely a political practice or an informal exchange between politicians and voters. It is an electoral offence with criminal consequences,” she said.