38% Nigerian voters accept gifts from 

The latest Countdown to the 2015 election poll conducted by NOIPolls has shown that the voting behaviour of Nigerian voters is influenced by political aspirants, political parties, the media and gifts.The result of the poll, released on Tuesday, shows that 41 per cent of Nigerian voters are influenced by the personality of the candidates; 21 per cent are influenced by political parties, while the traditional media (television, radio, newspapers) influence 19 per cent.

 The poll, conducted few days before the Ekiti State governorship election, between June 16 and June 17, shows that about 38 per cent of the electorate are willing to accept gifts from political parties and aspirants during election, while only 12 per cent admit to being influenced by such gifts.     

NOIPolls says, “More female respondents are influenced by “political aspirants” (46 per cent) and “political parties” (23 per cent), while more male respondents are influenced by the “traditional media” (23 per cent). More findings revealed that almost 4 in 10 Nigerians (38%) of Nigerians are willing to accept a gift from a political party or aspirant if offered, and the majority (62%) would like to receive money as a gift.

“However when asked if the gift would influence their decisions, only 12% admitted a gift would certainly affect their voting decisions. Furthermore the willingness to accept a gift decreased with a progression in age since respondents aged between 18-21 years (65%) are most willing to accept a gift, and are also most likely to be influenced by a gift (43%) in their voting decisions.”

It was also found out that slightly more female than male respondents (14 per cent compared with 10 per cent) affirmed a gift would affect their decision to vote.