Abstract
Obviously in Nigeria, Money Politics and Vote Buying have taken the centre stage in our political activities. This is because parties and candidates have shown by their conduct during political campaigns, that good party manifestoes and integrity of candidates jostling for public offices are no longer sufficient to guarantee electoral success. Thus, the resort to Vote-buying. On the other hand, the electorates too have obviously demonstrated cynical electoral behavior by the readiness to sell their votes to the highest bidder. This uncharitable behavior or practice constitutes a blemish on public policy and the electoral process. In fact, it portends dangers to the democratic process of electing officers and in turn prevents good Governance. While it may be difficult to eliminate the phenomenon of Money Politics and Vote-buying its negative consequences on the Nigerian Polity can be minimized by the various recommendations that are made at the end of this paper. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n7p99
Highlights
Many Scholars such as (Davies, 2005, Walecki 2006, Scaffer 2005, Schedler 2005, Ojo 2006) have written on money politics and vote buying in Nigerian politics because of the devastating impact of the phenomenon on the body politics
Democracy which is adjudged to be the best form of government all over the world is being constantly assaulted in Nigeria due to the phenomenon of money politics and vote buying
Public interest takes the back seat in the calculation, degrading the responsibilities of the elected officials to the people. It is for this reason that the Nigeria National Orientation Agency, a public enlightenment body sponsored a radio and television jingle during political campaigns and rallies by which it warned the electorate to be wary of politicians who want to buy their votes because according to the jingle, anyone who uses “wuru-wuru” to get elected could certainly render “wuru-wuru” service to the people (Davies, op cit)
Summary
Many Scholars such as (Davies, 2005, Walecki 2006, Scaffer 2005, Schedler 2005, Ojo 2006) have written on money politics and vote buying in Nigerian politics because of the devastating impact of the phenomenon on the body politics. Money politics and vote buying have vitiated the good qualities of democracy in the country. Money seems to have taken the center stage in the political process in most countries and in Nigerian politics, it is, sadly, playing an increasing critical role to such an extent that the word, ‘money politics’ with a pejorative connotation, have crept into the country’s political lexicon”, (Davies: 2006:5). The problem with this situation is that the electoral process is often compromised resulting in elections not being free and fair. The only worry, is the noticeable corrupting influence of money and vote-buying, and their negative impact on good governance in Nigeria
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