Republic. This is obviously hindering the democratization process in Nigeria. Political parties

and candidates see elections as a do-or-die affair and therefore, a must-win situation. Thus,

they resort to all manner of electoral misconduct such as vote-buying, election rigging, voter

suppression, ballot tampering, intimidation and coercion, which has gradually crippled the

electoral process.

This paper, therefore examines the factors and consequences of vote buying

on the electoral process and its implication on good governance in Nigeria. It argues that

such factors as ideological deficiency, poor political structure and inadequate institutionalization

of political parties amongst others contribute to entrenching bad governance, and insufficient

service delivery to the citizenry. It further argues that the poor standard of living of the

populace has made them very vulnerable to the temptation of selling their votes to the highest

bidder, thereby losing their freedom to make right and informed choices, which would not

represent their true wishes.

The study employs the theory of prebendalism and the theory of

the two publics in explaining how the political system has experienced the monetization and

materialization of electioneering and consequent partisan relations in Nigeria. The exchange

of gifts, money, food items, and so on, for votes as seen in the act of vote buying and selling,

is a necessary consequence of prebendal and the two public nature of politics. Political parties

engage in different strategies such as pre-paid and post-paid method of buying votes, in order

to secure victory.

This situation, therefore, portends danger towards the democratization

process of electing credible leaders which in turn have implication on good governance.

However, to minimize the act of vote buying and selling in Nigeria’s political system, several

recommendations were made such as improving the living standard of the populace by

providing employment and other forms of socio-economic empowerment by the government,

instituting electoral offences commission, and ensure there is full enforcement of the law upon

any individual who is found violating the prescribed law so as to serve as a deterrent to

others in the future.