UNILAG Mass Comm HOD Decries Vote Buying, Calls for Return to Option A4

By Daniel Nnamani

The Head of the Department of Mass Communication, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Professor Ibitayo Popoola, has bemoaned the incessant buying and selling of votes during elections in Nigeria, saying the country should return to ‘Option A4’ to curb the menace. 

Option A4 is an open ballot system in which voters queue behind the logo of the political party they intend to vote for. This voting procedure was introduced into Nigeria’s electoral system by Late Prof Humphrey Nwosu, who chaired Nigeria’s electoral umpire during the aborted Third Republic 1993 presidential election. 

The June 12, 1993 presidential election, which was said to have been won by Moshood Abiola of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) but was later annulled by the then military government of General Ibrahim Babangida, has often been referred to as the freest and fairest election in Nigeria’s democratic history. 

Popoola spoke at the 13th Lagos Public Relations Stakeholders’ Conference at Musan Centre, Onikan, Lagos State on Thursday, 20th August 2026, where he argued that Option A4 will help checkmate the growing incidents of vote buying and inject credibility into the country’s voting system. 

Speaking on the theme, “Communication, Leadership and Innovation for Sustainable Community Transformation in Nigeria,” the political communication scholar faulted the existing secret ballot system, saying that no effort should be spared to address anything that could engender violence during future elections in Nigeria. 

“Vote buying is gradually becoming a regular feature of voting in Nigeria, in spite of the fact that it is against the law,” he said. 

“The perplexing and worrisome dimension of it is that all the political parties in the country are shamelessly involved. 

“Therefore, to inject credibility into our voting system, Option A4 is our better option for now.”

The academic further advised that Nigeria’s adoption of technology in elections should be gradual, noting that 300 of the 774 local government areas in the country are currently not enjoying internet services. 

Popoola maintained that Option A4 is cheaper, less cumbersome, credible and sustainable.