Peter Obi Says Politicians Buy Votes with Millions to Steal Money

Peter Obi, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, has shared a strong message condemning the practice of vote-buying in Nigerian politics.

In a detailed post on X, Obi described vote-buying as one of the greatest threats to democracy, emphasizing that it is not an act of generosity but a deliberate investment in corruption.

“Those who buy votes do so with one goal—to gain access to public funds. By bribing voters today, they are purchasing a licence to plunder tomorrow,” he wrote.

Obi warned that once in office, these politicians divert money meant for essential services like schools, hospitals, roads, and jobs into their private accounts. “Such people are not leaders; they are looters. Their actions steal dignity, development, and even lives from our society.”

He also addressed voters who sell their ballots, saying, “When you exchange your vote for money or material gain, you’re not just selling a vote—you’re selling your future. You’re sacrificing the schools your children deserve, the hospitals that should save lives, and the jobs that could lift families out of poverty.”

Obi pointed out the real power lies not in the money spent on buying votes, but in the voter’s conscience and courage. “If your vote had no value, nobody would be desperate to buy it. Your ballot is priceless.”

He concluded with a call to action: “The choice is ours. We can either keep selling our votes and remain trapped in poverty and bad governance, or rise above temporary gain and reclaim our nation’s future. Let’s reject bribery and embrace service. Let’s elect leaders who build, not loot.”