Prominent activist Aisha Yesufu has stirred fresh debate over Nigeria’s electoral process, saying vote-buying should no longer be treated as a crime if authorities are unable to curb the practice.
Yesufu made the remark on Saturday following allegations of widespread voter inducement during the ongoing Ekiti State governorship election.
Reacting to reports of vote trading in parts of the state, she criticised the failure of relevant institutions to enforce electoral laws, arguing that candidates who comply with the rules are often placed at a disadvantage.
"At this rate, vote buying should be decriminalised in Nigeria," she wrote in a post on X.
According to Yesufu, the continued prevalence of vote-buying despite existing legal provisions rewards politicians accused of inducing voters while disadvantaging those who choose to campaign without engaging in the practice.
Her comments have added to growing concerns about the effectiveness of efforts to tackle electoral malpractice and strengthen the credibility of Nigeria's elections.
