Former Presidential Candidate Raises Alarm Over Electoral Malpractice
Peter Obi, the Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, has raised serious concerns about widespread vote buying during the ongoing Anambra State governorship election. The prominent politician revealed that votes are being purchased for amounts ranging between ₦20,000 and ₦30,000, describing the development as dangerous for Nigeria's democratic process.
Obi's Personal Voting Experience and Observations
Speaking to journalists after casting his vote at approximately 11:50 a.m. at his Umudim/Akasi Ward on November 8, 2025, Obi expressed deep worry about the deteriorating state of democracy in Nigeria. "My personal experience is that democracy is deteriorating in our country," he stated. "Unfortunately, those who are the victims of bad governance seem to be fuelling it."
The former Anambra State governor emphasized that he had gathered firsthand information about the electoral process from people around him. "What you see is that vote buying is on the scale of ₦20,000, ₦30,000," Obi disclosed, highlighting the monetary value placed on votes during the crucial election.
The Grave Consequences of Vote Selling
Obi posed a critical question to voters participating in this practice: "The question I ask is, if you sell your vote for ₦30,000, what is he going to be paid next month?" He elaborated on the long-term implications, warning that "By selling your vote, you're selling no school, no hospital, no job; you're selling away your future, and that is what is very worrisome."
Drawing comparisons with other nations, Obi noted that "Other countries, even West African countries that are close to us where I have observed elections, I didn't see this happen." He made a direct appeal to journalists, urging them to "cooperate to save the situation" and protect Nigeria's democracy.
Political Stance and Election Expectations
When questioned about his predictions for the election outcome, Obi clarified his position: "I'm a member of LP and I support the LP candidate, but quite frankly, everybody involved in this election, they are my brothers and my sisters." He emphasized that "I'm not on the ballot. I have been governor 13 years ago, so I'm strictly in the Champions League of Nigerian politics; I'm contesting to be president of Nigeria."
Obi extended his well-wishes to all candidates, describing them as being in "the 1st Division" of politics while positioning himself in the "Champions League." He expressed hope that "Whoever wins, let him serve the people," underscoring the importance of service-oriented leadership.
Call for Service-Minded Leadership and Institutional Reform
The former governor stressed Nigeria's urgent need for leaders focused on public service to alleviate poverty. He emphasized that "our people need to know that schools are working; it's not grandstanding. We need to rebuild the hospitals." Obi highlighted his support for nursing schools to produce qualified manpower, advocating for "every village to have a primary healthcare centre where people can go to."
Regarding the performance of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Obi revealed that he had "congratulated the new INEC chairman and told him to look at what happened to his predecessors." He offered sober advice to the electoral chief: "All I can say to him is that the name and reputation his children will live with is a test for him in office. So while you are there, try to serve humanity and society."
The Labour Party leader's comments come amid heightened concerns about electoral integrity in Nigeria, with vote buying emerging as a significant threat to the credibility of election outcomes across the country.
