Okoye Accuses Political Elite of Vote-Buying, Undermining Credible Elections

Okoye has accused Nigeria’s political elite of undermining free and fair elections, alleging that some politicians seek to buy votes rather than allow citizens to freely determine who governs them.

Speaking on the state of the country’s electoral process, Okoye said political actors appeared unwilling to respect the electorate’s power to decide election outcomes.

“I think that political elite in this country really do not believe in free, fair, and transparent election. They just want to buy the votes of the people. They want to replace the people as the sovereign, and it is very unfortunate,” he said.

He described a credible election as one in which voters can cast their ballots without intimidation, coercion or duress. According to him, the ability of citizens to vote freely and have their choices respected is central to democratic governance.

Okoye also criticised political parties for what he described as a lack of clear ideologies and issue-based campaigns. He alleged that some parties were more concerned with finding ways to ensure votes did not count than presenting policies that address the needs and concerns of Nigerians.

On electoral reforms, he called for continued improvements to the voting process and the deployment of technology where appropriate. He said efforts to strengthen the electoral system should remain ongoing to improve transparency and public confidence in election outcomes.

The election commentator further urged the media, civil society organisations and Nigerians to monitor the activities of political actors before, during and after elections. He said sustained public scrutiny was necessary to promote accountability and protect the integrity of the electoral process.

Okoye also highlighted the role of ad hoc election personnel, including members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and other Nigerians recruited to support elections. He noted that these temporary workers play a prominent role in conducting activities at polling units, underscoring the importance of their involvement in the electoral process.

His remarks add to ongoing discussions about vote-buying, political accountability and the credibility of elections in Nigeria ahead of the 2027 general elections. The challenge, he suggested, is to ensure that electoral reforms and public oversight help protect voters’ choices and prevent political interests from overriding the will of the electorate.