Edo North Senator, Adams Oshiomhole has said that electoral fraud is the worst crime in a democracy.
Oshiomhole said this on Monday while fielding questions in an interview on News Central.
Speaking on the delays in Nigeria’s electoral reforms ahead of the 2027 general election, the lawmaker warned that vote buying and the manipulation of election results undermine the will of the people.
“My 2012 re-election in Edo State, I won in all the 18 local government areas. I did not give money to anybody,” he said.
The former Edo State Governor said he openly told voters at the time that he would not participate in vote buying.
“Instead, I told the voters, if my opponent, who allegedly had money to give you, you can collect it, no receipt, no refund. But I have no money to give you, but I will give you my all in terms of development,” Oshiomhole added.
According to him, the integrity of elections was central to the value of democracy.
Oshiomhole pointed out that existing electoral laws already provide clear sanctions against vote buying and the manipulation of results.