By ALO 360 Editorial Board
The governorship election held in Ekiti State on June 20 has come and gone. Biodun Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress (APC) emerged victorious in a landslide, winning all 16 local government areas of the state and becoming the first incumbent governor in Ekiti’s history to secure re-election. Yet, beyond the result itself, the election leaves Nigeria with an uncomfortable question: can democracy truly thrive when votes are openly traded like commodities in a marketplace?
To be fair, the election recorded notable successes. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) deserves commendation for its logistical performance. Unlike many previous elections characterised by delays and confusion, electoral materials arrived early in most polling units, while voting commenced on schedule in several parts of the state. Equally commendable was the commission’s deployment of technology. Within hours of the close of polls, results from most polling units had already been uploaded to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), allowing citizens, observers and political parties to monitor the process in near real time. This represents progress and demonstrates that the electoral body is capable of conducting efficient elections when adequately prepared.
Security agencies also deserve recognition. Reports from across the state indicated that the election was largely peaceful. There were only isolated incidents of violence, and security personnel maintained a visible presence throughout the exercise. In a country where elections are too often associated with bloodshed and intimidation, a peaceful poll is an achievement worth celebrating.
Unfortunately, these gains were overshadowed by a more troubling development: the widespread buying and selling of votes.
Multiple election observers, civil society organisations and media reports documented cases of voter inducement across several polling units. Videos circulated on social media showed voters openly negotiating the price of their votes. Reports indicated that some voters received between ₦10,000 and ₦15,000 in exchange for supporting particular candidates. In some cases, voters reportedly displayed evidence of their ballots before receiving payment.
This should alarm every Nigerian who believes in democracy.
The essence of democracy is that citizens freely choose their leaders based on competence, character, vision and performance. The moment votes become commodities, elections cease to be contests of ideas and become auctions won by the highest bidder. The consequences are severe. Politicians who spend enormous sums buying votes often view public office not as an opportunity to serve but as an investment that must yield returns. The inevitable result is corruption, diversion of public funds and poor governance.
Ironically, those who accept money to sell their votes often suffer the most from the outcomes of bad governance. A voter may receive ₦10,000 today but lose access to quality roads, healthcare, education and economic opportunities for the next four years. The temporary gratification quickly disappears while the long-term consequences remain.
The persistence of vote buying also exposes a deeper national tragedy: widespread poverty. Millions of Nigerians are struggling to survive. Faced with rising living costs and economic hardship, many citizens see election day as an opportunity to earn a little money. The political class understands this reality and exploits it. In effect, poverty has become a weapon against democracy.
This is why tackling vote buying requires more than electoral reforms. It requires economic reforms that improve living standards and reduce the vulnerability of citizens to manipulation. A hungry voter is easier to compromise than one who is economically secure.
Nonetheless, law enforcement agencies must do more. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), the police and other relevant agencies cannot continue to treat vote buying as a minor electoral offence. Those who distribute money to voters and those who organise these schemes must face swift and visible consequences. The law already prohibits voter inducement. What is lacking is enforcement.
As Nigeria moves closer to the Osun governorship election and the 2027 general election, the fight against vote buying must become a national priority. Otherwise, improvements in logistics, technology and election management will count for little if the electorate can still be purchased.
We congratulate Governor Biodun Oyebanji on his victory. The people of Ekiti have spoken, and their verdict must be respected. However, as President Bola Tinubu rightly advised, he should be magnanimous in victory. Elections are over; governance must now begin in earnest.
The governor has promised to tackle poverty and inequality in the state. Ekiti people will hold him to that promise. His second term offers an opportunity to justify the confidence reposed in him by voters and to demonstrate that electoral victory can translate into meaningful development.
Ultimately, the greatest threat to Nigeria’s democracy may no longer be ballot-box snatching or electoral violence. It may well be the quiet normalisation of vote buying. A democracy where votes are bought and sold is a democracy in danger. Nigeria must act before that danger becomes irreversible.
