NBS reveals widespread cases of vote-buying during 2023 polls

Nigeria’s fight against electoral corruption faces a worrying trend, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
Their latest report, “Corruption in Nigeria: Patterns and trends third survey on corruption as experienced by the population,” reveals a rise in vote-buying during the 2023 general elections.
The survey indicates that 22% of voters encountered attempts to sway their vote through financial or material inducements. This represents a concerning 5% increase compared to the 17% reported in the 2019 elections.
Describing it as another form of corruption, NBS said vote-buying, which is the act of offering money, goods or other favours in exchange for the vote of a voter in an election, NBS said, “This represents an increase in both types of vote buying compared with 2019 when personal offers of money were reported by 17 per cent and personal offers of other favours were reported by four per cent of citizens.
“Furthermore, in 2023, 10 per cent reported that they were not personally offered money or another favour in exchange for their vote, but that instead another member of their household was approached, compared to 5 per cent in 2019.”
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While the extent of the problem is concerning, the report offers a glimmer of hope. The NBS data suggests that a significant portion of voters (55%) remained uninfluenced by these offers. However, with 40% admitting to voting based on financial or material incentives, the report underscores the continued vulnerability of Nigeria’s electoral process.
It said, “Just over half (55 per cent) of the citizens who were personally offered money or another favour in exchange for their vote in the 2023 general election reported that the offer did not influence their vote choice, while 40 per cent of those citizens said they voted for the person or political party which offered them money or a favour precisely because of the offer.
“Between 2019 and 2023, the proportion of Nigerians who were personally offered bribes in exchange for votes increased similarly across sexes, urban and rural areas, and age groups”, the agency said.
The rise in vote-buying calls for a multi-pronged approach. Strengthening law enforcement efforts, voter education campaigns, and addressing the underlying socio-economic factors that make voters susceptible to such practices are all essential elements in ensuring the integrity of future elections.
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