Effect of Vote Buying in Nigeria: A Study of 2019 General Election

Abstract

Purpose: Money has been very influential in determining the outcome of elections in Nigeria and other developing democracies of other countries of the world. This study investigated the effect of vote buying in Nigeria, a study of 2019 general elections. Specifically the paper sought to examine the extent to which vote buying has affected Nigeria’s democracy. Methodology: The study adopted is qualitative method of data collection and analysis where some informants with an experience and classified information on the subject matter were consulted for interview in addition to secondary sources. The paper adopted stokes theory of demand and supply in 2007. The data obtained was interpreted for analysis and findings. Findings: This study discovered that there was heavy use of money during the recent 2019 general elections and the outcome was affected by such brazen act given undue advantage to politicians who have the means to buy their way into power thus hindering the development of our democracy. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The study concludes that until regulatory agencies and various stakeholders responsible for monitoring elections and sanctioning of offenders up their game in minimizing excessive use of money in Nigeria’s politics, it will continue to produce incompetent leaders which will lead to bad governance and abuse of power as witnessed today, Nigeria’s budding democracy will collapse into a moneyocracy under the weight of vote buying.