The menace of vote-buying is a widespread phenomenon. It is usually viewed as a purely economic exchange in which the voter sells his or her vote to the highest bidder.
Those mostly involved in the unfortunate act appear to be greedy, unpatriotic, and irresponsible citizens who know little or nothing about the grave consequences of doing so.
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Trading of votes is gradually becoming a norm in our political settings. It is pathetic that a voter is ready to sell their fundamental right as a bonafide citizen.
It is true that bad governance has made citizens not to believe in democracy and that their votes do little for their welfare.
Nonetheless, this should not be a reason to indulge in vote-selling.
Thus the Independent National Electoral Commission should strive to further assure the populace that their votes will always count by conducting free, fair and credible elections.
It should also step up its sensitisation campaign to educate voters on why it is pertinent to vote.
Agencies like Nigerian Police Force (NPF), and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) should deploy their operatives to every polling unit to apprehend anyone found trading votes. Similarly, community and religious leaders should guide their people and encourage them not to sell their votes.
Above all, we must bear it in our minds that vote-buying, as we experienced recently in the just concluded Osun governorship election, is a threat to our fragile democracy. The electorate, politicians, and all those concerned should rise in fighting this menace.
Aminu Ahmad Mamagi,
ahmedaminu 641 @gmail.com
