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Vote-buying a threat to Nigeria's democracy – Expert
The Inter-Party Advisory Council, a body that houses all registered political parties in Nigeria says they plans to constitute a legal body to interact with INEC to address vote buying in elections. According to Chude Achike, Political Affairs Commentator, Nigeria’s democracy has not gotten to a level where some of the primary ideals of democracy are fully implemented. Speaking to CNBC Africa’s Christy Cole, Achike discussed vote buying in Nigerian politics.
Thu, 13 Sep 2018 11:43:46 GMT
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AI Generated Summary
- Vote-buying has become a pervasive issue in Nigerian politics, with politicians using money to influence voters, eroding the democratic process and public trust in the electoral system.
- Achike expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of INEC's measures to address vote-buying and called for more decisive action, such as disqualifying offenders, to deter future instances of electoral fraud.
- The mismanagement of public funds, including the skewed distribution of the Paris Club refunds for election funding, has exacerbated the economic challenges faced by many states, raising concerns about the transparency and fairness of the electoral process.
Vote-buying has become a pervasive issue in Nigerian politics, posing a significant threat to the country's democracy, according to political affairs commentator Chude Achike. In a recent interview with CNBC Africa's Christy Cole, Achike highlighted the challenges faced by the country's electoral system, pointing to the widespread practice of politicians using money to influence voters. This practice, he argued, undermines the democratic process and erodes public trust in the electoral system. While the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has made efforts to address the issue, Achike expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of their measures. He suggested that more decisive action, such as disqualifying offenders, may be necessary to deter future instances of vote-buying. Achike also criticized the government for its management of public funds, particularly in relation to the disbursement of the Paris Club refunds. He pointed out that while many states are struggling to pay salaries and pensions, the government has allocated significant amounts of money for election funding, further highlighting the disconnect between politicians and the needs of the people. The skewed distribution of funds, he noted, has raised concerns about the transparency and fairness of the electoral process, particularly as Nigeria approaches another round of elections. The prevalence of vote-buying and the mismanagement of public funds, Achike emphasized, are indicative of broader systemic issues that threaten the integrity of Nigeria's democracy. As the country grapples with these challenges, the need for comprehensive electoral reforms and greater accountability among political actors has never been more pressing. In the upcoming elections, it will be essential for all stakeholders, including INEC, political parties, and civil society organizations, to work together to ensure free, fair, and transparent electoral processes that reflect the will of the Nigerian people.
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