AKWA IBOM STATE UNIVERSITY JOUNAL OF ARTS

Vote buying and selling has emerged as a critical threat to democratic integrity in Nigeria, undermining electoral credibility, perpetuating systemic corruption, and eroding public trust in governance. Despite existing legal frameworks, the practice persists due to widespread poverty, weak enforcement, and a culture of political patronage. This study addresses a significant gap in theological scholarship by evaluating the socio-ethical consequences of vote buying through a theological lens. Employing a qualitative, library-based methodology, the research integrates biblical analysis and theological reflection with empirical data from Nigerian elections. Findings reveal that vote buying violates foundational Christian ethical principles—justice, stewardship, and human dignity—while compromising individual conscience and moral agency. The study further establishes that the practice disenfranchises the poor, normalizes corruption, and exacerbates socio-political inequality. In response, the paper recommends intensified voter and citizenship education, spiritual renewal, and active engagement of faithbased organizations in electoral advocacy and integrity monitoring. It concludes that only through ethical reawakening grounded in theological ethics can Nigeria begin to dismantle the culture of transactional politics and foster a more just and accountable democratic society.

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