The Country Director of the MacArthur Foundation in Nigeria, Dr. Kole Shettima, has urged Nigerians to resist political inducement and avoid selling their votes ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Shettima, who argued that vote-buying thrives when voters are willing to sell their votes, said addressing the menace requires tackling both the demand and supply sides of the practice. He, however, urged voters to collect whatever money politicians offer them but exercise their conscience when casting their ballots.
He spoke on Thursday during the official unveiling of the Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) Legacy House in Kano, as part of activities marking the organisation’s 20th anniversary.
According to him, “As we are approaching the 2027 general elections, I think the question about vote-buying has the other side, and the question we must also ask is why people are selling their votes.
“So, I think it is a two-way traffic, and we need to address both the demand and supply sides of the coin. Politicians may induce voters by giving them money to buy their votes.
“I will never ask them not to collect the money they are given. I think they should collect whatever people are giving them, but they should vote with their conscience,” Shettima said.
He disclosed that the MacArthur Foundation supported CHRICED’s projects between 2022 and 2025, particularly in sustaining advocacy for social justice, promoting child and maternal health, and advancing education reforms.
Shettima commended the organisation for its resilience and courage in holding authorities accountable, defending justice, protecting human rights and promoting civic responsibility.
In her remarks, the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, commended CHRICED for its 20 years of commitment to promoting human rights, civic education, democratic participation and responsible citizenship.
The minister described the organisation’s achievements as evidence of the importance of institutional commitment, strategic partnerships and collective efforts in strengthening democracy and accountable governance.
Represented by Ummukulsum, her Technical Adviser on Partners, Projects and Programmes, Professor Ahmad stressed that democracy goes beyond elections to include informed citizens, respect for the rule of law and accountable institutions.
She reaffirmed the Federal Ministry of Education’s commitment to integrating civic education into school curricula and learning environments to promote responsible citizenship, tolerance, leadership and respect for human rights.
Earlier, the Executive Director of CHRICED, Dr. Zikirullahi Ibrahim, said the organisation was founded on the conviction that credible democracy thrives when citizens are informed, empowered and able to participate meaningfully in governance.
Reflecting on the organisation’s humble beginnings, Ibrahim said the 20th anniversary represented two decades of resilience, sacrifice and unwavering belief in the possibility of building a just and democratic Nigeria.
He stressed that democracy must be continuously nurtured to deliver its desired dividends to citizens, while advocating greater public participation to ensure that future generations inherit a society founded on justice, accountability and social inclusion.
“For some, this is the unveiling of a building, but it is the celebration of 20 years of faith, sacrifice, resilience, partnership and an enduring belief in the possibility of a more just and democratic Nigeria.
“Twenty years ago, CHRICED began as a modest idea founded on a simple conviction that democracy flourishes when citizens are informed, empowered and able to participate meaningfully in public life.
“At the time, we had no permanent office and little certainty about the future. What we had was conviction. We believed that ordinary citizens deserved a voice, that accountability mattered and that justice was worth defending.
“Twenty years later, we stand here reflecting on a journey that has exceeded even our own expectations,” Ibrahim said.
