•Prof Tayo Popoola
A Political Communication expert in the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, University of Lagos, Professor Tayo Popoola, has called for a return to the Option A4 voting system in Nigeria in order to checkmate the growing incidents of vote buying and through that inject credibility into the voting system.
Delivering a lecture on the theme: “Communication, Leadership and Innovation for Sustainable Community Transformation in Nigeria” during the 13th Lagos Public Relations Stakeholders’ Conference at Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos state yesterday, Thursday, August 20, 2026, Professor Popoola faulted the existing secret ballot system saying “it is not sustainable and therefore suggested a return to the much credible option A4 voting system of Nigeria’s Third Republic “.
The don stated that no effort should be spared when it comes to checkmating anything that could engender violence during future elections in Nigeria, reports Daily Independent.
His words: “Vote buying is gradually becoming a regular feature of voting in Nigeria, in spite of the fact that it is against the law. 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.”
While stressing that over 300 of the 774 local government areas in the country are currently not enjoying internet services, Professor Popoola stated that Nigeria’s migration to the phase of technologically driven electoral process should be gradual.
He contended that Option A4 is cheaper, less cumbersome, credible and sustainable.
