By Ikechukwu Nnochiri
ABUJA– Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, on Monday, called for strict enforcement of laws to check what it described as the ugly phenomenon of vote buying and vote selling.
The Situation Room, which is a coalition of over 70 Civil Society Organizations, CSOs, working in support of credible elections and governance in the country, said it was concerned about the recurring cases of widespread vote buying during elections.
Consequently, the group, which issued its final statement on the just concluded governorship election in Anambra state, urged the National Assembly “to accelerate pending legislative actions for electoral reforms designed to enhance political participation, improve election management, and effectively address the prosecution of electoral offenses.”
Stressing that credible elections remained central to democratic governance and public accountability, the CSOs maintained that lessons from the Anambra state governorship election must inform deeper reforms and stronger collaboration among INEC, security agencies, political actors, and civil society to safeguard Nigeria’s democracy.
“These lessons must be applied to the upcoming Area Council Elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as well as the Ekiti and Osun States Governorship Elections – all to be conducted in 2026.
“There is also a need to take forward conversations on the credibility of the voter’s register, welfare of security agencies and voter apathy in Nigeria’s elections as we head towards the 2027 General elections,” it added.
In the statement that was jointly signed by its convener, Yunusa Z. Ya’u and two co-conveners- Mimidoo Achakpa and Franklin Oloniju- noted that though the Anambra state gubernatorial poll was largely peaceful, it said it was however “marred by what may be attributed to lingering public distrust in public institutions and governance.”
“Many citizens still seemed uninterested in the process and were seen carrying on with their trading in the markets. However, there was a marked improvement from the 2021 Governorship Election especially with the political and security environment.
“While we commend the INEC, security agencies, and other election workers for their efforts, Situation Room states emphatically that the primary drivers of the largely peaceful election were the people of Anambra State.
“Their collective commitment to maintaining a conducive and calm electoral environment was pivotal to the positive ambience observed across the State.
“INEC managed its core processes effectively throughout the election. Although, polls opened relatively late in many locations, primarily due to delayed arrival of INEC officials caused by transport companies engaged by INEC, the average opening time was 9:15am in the majority of the polling units observed.
“The Bimodal Voting Accreditation System (BVAS) functioned optimally in most polling units, though isolated cases of malfunction and slow voter accreditation were reported, requiring replacements.
“Situation Room particularly commends the quick and drama-free results collation process, which was devoid of the irregularities typically associated with INEC’s vote tabulation and score recording at Collation Centres. If this continues in future elections, then it will be a positive and encouraging development in electoral managelection.
“Situation Room is worried that our elections are continually being driven by motivations and actions that are strongly diametrically opposed to the ideals of democracy as a socio-economic political phenomenon that has its origin and destination in the service of the people.
“Increasingly, the dominant trait of the political class and elites in our country seems to be bordering on a Machiavellian understanding of the end ‘justifies the means’: a dangerous political philosophy that relegates the ideals and fine points of democracy as people-driven to the background.
“Situation Room insists that the guardrails that help define the democratic experience must not be subverted by the political elites.
“In this regard, Situation Room notes that the ugly phenomenon of vote buying and vote selling, occasioned by the pauperization of the citizens have continued to thrive, and was in full swing during the 2025 Anambra State Governorship election.
“Situation Room believes that if there is one social dynamic that clearly signals the failure of the political class to relatively deliver on the benefits of democracy, it is the unfortunate and continuous occurrence of vote selling by citizens who are yet to truly connect their living conditions to the activities of those to whom they sell their votes.
“Situation Room once again calls on the relevant authorities and stakeholders to genuinely commit to resolving this unfortunate occurrence in Nigeria’s elections,” the statement further read.
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