ABSTRACT

This paper examines the impacts of vote buying on democratic consolidation in Nigeria. The study became necessary because vote buying has become a dangerous practice capable of derailing the fledging Nigerian democracy. Various concepts relating to democracy, democratization process as well as elections were explored, and an attempt was made to show the nexus between vote buying and democratic consolidation in Nigeria.

To achieve this, an appraisal of the 2015 and 2019 elections was carried out with particular focus on Egor, Oredo and Ikpoba-Okha local government areas within the Benin Metropolis, because of their population and strategic geographical location in Edo South that constitutes over 50% of the entire population of Edo State. Primary and secondary sources of data were used as the main sources of information upon which the analysis was based, and findings arrived at. The research shows that vote buying has become one of the major problems in the democratization process in Nigeria and that the reasons for vote buying and selling include, but not limited to poverty, greed, desperation for victory and poor enforcement of relevant electoral laws. It concludes by recommending a more transparent governance system, introduction of government programmes geared towards eradicating poverty and improving the standard of living of its citizens, as well as implementing the relevant laws which will mete out adequate punishment to offenders and serve as deterrent to others.