Prof Habu Fagge, a lecturer in the Department of Political Science, Bayero University Kano, has described vote-buying as a political corruption which has the impact of retarding the process of Nigeria’s democracy.

Fagge, who is the Head of department of Political Science made the remark on Sunday in Kano during a public lecture organised by Center for Awareness on Justice and Accountability (CAJA) in partnership with Youth Alive Foundation.

‎”The phenomenon Vote-buying is a political corruption which has the impact of retarding the process of Nigeria’s democracy.

“‎Vote-buying is a serious threat to our democracy and that all Nigerians must join hands to ensure it is eradicated ,” he said.

He said that many people in the country were pesitimistic that if care ‎was not take their rightful mandate would be taken by those he described as ‘political entrepreneurs’.

Fagge said that’ political entrepreneurs in the country employ undemocratic strategy to prey on the existing high level poverty and unemployment.

He added that people who were worse hit are vulnerable people, who do not know what democracy is all about, with less political education and those with who could not say no to the advancement of politicians.

The university don also stressed the need for synergy between political parties and civil society organisations in the country to enlighten the public on the dangers of the ugly trend.

He described the theme of the public lecture” vote-buying risk ‎to democracy” as apt considering how the ugly trend is.

Earlier, the Executive director of CAJA, Mr. Kabiru Dakata, described the growing culture of Vote-buying as worrisome stressing that use of cash to induce voters is a violation of the Electoral Act.

Dakata noted that if care was not taken electorates would end up voting for people who do not have policies and those that are only interested in syphoning public funds.

He said that the center intends to engage other stakeholders on the way forward, particularly on how to intensify voter education and sensitization.

He added that poor people are worst hit by vote-selling , as their limited means makes them to accept the inducement.

In a remark, the representative of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Malam Suleiman Alkali‎, described the growing phenomenon as worrisome stressing that use of cash to induce voters is a violation of the Electoral Act.

‎He said the commission in collaboration with other stakeholders would educate and sensitize voters on vote-buying and selling. (NAN)

– Sept. 17, 2018 @ 9:45 GMT |