Electoral Act: Wike’s ₦10m Promise for Delivering Tinubu May Constitute Bribery – Ex-INEC Commissioner, Okoye
...Warns 'Rig and Die' Slogan Could Endanger Innocent Citizens
A former National Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Festus Okoye, has said that the promise by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to give ward councillors ₦10 million each for delivering President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 election could constitute bribery under the Electoral Act.
Okoye, a lawyer, explained that Section 125 of the Electoral Act outlines the elements of electoral bribery, including the making of a gift, loan, offer or promise, directly or indirectly, with the intention of inducing another person to procure the return of a candidate to a legislative house or an elective office.
He made the remarks during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday, November 10, 2026.
Okoye stated that the law requires the establishment of specific ingredients, including the intention behind the offer, knowledge and the corrupt nature of the transaction, as well as its purpose of inducing electoral support.
He noted that the provision covers not only the person making the offer but also the person receiving it and acting on it.
Okoye further explained that the timing of a promised reward does not necessarily remove it from the scope of the offence, adding that a payment made after an election victory could still fall within the provisions of Section 125.
However, he cited Section 125(3), which excludes money paid or agreed to be paid for lawful expenses genuinely incurred at or concerning an election.
He mentioned that campaign-related expenses and logistical support could fall within the exemption, provided they are lawful expenses, but stressed that the circumstances and purpose of the payment must be examined.
The former INEC Commissioner also cited Section 125(1)(d), which prescribes a maximum fine of ₦2 million, imprisonment for up to 12 months, or both, for anyone convicted of an offence under the section.
On the role of electoral authorities, Okoye stated that INEC could petition the relevant authorities over suspected electoral offences, while law enforcement agencies could investigate where there was a possibility that an offence had been committed.
He added that the state could also initiate action where an electoral offence was suspected.
On election-day conduct, Okoye warned against the use of the slogan, ‘Rig and Die’, saying it could endanger innocent people and trigger violence at polling units.
He emphasised that political tensions and anxiety during elections could make such statements dangerous, as people might interpret them as encouragement to attack anyone suspected of electoral malpractice.
According to him, innocent voters and election officials could become victims of attacks or stampedes resulting from such calls.
Okoye maintained that anyone who suspects electoral malpractice should report it to the presiding officer or security agencies rather than take the law into their own hands.
He acknowledged that Section 39 of the Police Act recognises citizen arrest where there is reasonable suspicion that a criminal act has been committed, but cautioned against encouraging such action at polling units because of the tense atmosphere and the possibility of violence.
He also explained that the Electoral Act identifies several acts that amount to electoral malpractice, including vote buying, unlawfully introducing votes or materials into ballot boxes, bypassing the voters’ register or the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), and substituting the will of voters after votes have been counted.
Regarding the protection of election results, Okoye said that polling agents and domestic observers are permitted to inspect election materials during their distribution and at polling units, as well as take photographs and videos of the materials.
He urged voters and election observers to remain vigilant, document suspected infractions, and report them through lawful channels.
He added that protecting the electoral mandate must be done within the confines of the law and not through violence or self-help.
