Speaker of the House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara has condemned the distribution of cash to the public very close to general elections by public officials.
Mr Dogara condemned the act on Monday at a public hearing organised by the National Assembly Joint Committee on INEC and Political Parties Matters on Vote-buying and Improving the Electoral Processes in Nigeria.
Dogara said that no matter how noble the intent is, such endeavors amount to vote buying and inducement, a clear case of corruption.
“The high prevalence of vote-buying in the electoral system of the country is, without any doubt, of great concern to all Nigerians and members of the global community who truly love democracy.
“It is disheartening that this absurd phenomenon has assumed alarming proportions in recent times. As citizens, we must not surrender to this criminality as we cannot do so and still expect honour.
“When political office holders defy the law and corruptly assume office, they will always operate as if they are above the law,” Dogara said.
The lawmaker said the act of inducing the public with cash in exchange for their votes is a fraud that is covered within section 124 (1)(a);(b);(c); Section(124)(2)(4)(5) and Section 130 of the Electoral Act.
Dogara further noted a more worrisome dimension to vote buying which he stated is the alleged use of INEC officials and officers of security agencies to induce or intimidate and coerce voters to vote for particular candidates.
He lamented that “such absurdities have been widely reported in the media and confirmed by some local and international observers in respect of the recently concluded governorship elections in Osun State.”
