Vote-Buying: Framing the Causes and Consequences of Electoral Inducement in Selected Nigerian Digital Newspapers (2025-2026)

Abstract

The monetization of electoral processes weakens democracy and institutional integrity. In Nigeria, vote-buying poses a significant threat to democratic integrity and institutional governance. This situation contradicts the civic ethos of accountability and free and fair elections. The objective of this study is to investigate how selected Nigerian digital newspapers frame the causes and consequences of electoral inducement in the country. The study utilized a qualitative research design. The data comprise newspaper articles published in The Punch and Daily Trust between 2025 and 2026. The articles were 
gathered using purposive sampling and subjected to thematic content analysis guided by rational choice and framing theories. The findings reveal that the selected newspapers attribute vote-buying to systemic poverty, calculative incentives, institutional shortfalls, and legal and enforcement gaps. The findings also linked vote-buying to negative effects on governance, democracy, and socio-economic development, including democratic integrity, leadership competence, economic opportunities, and public trust. From the findings, it is inferred that once poverty becomes prevalent and electoral laws 
are not enforced, it becomes easier for politicians to buy votes from the poor population. This study contributes to political communication by providing insights into the media framing of vote-buying in the Nigerian context.