A viral video of a woman celebrating a bag of rice she received during a political campaign in Osun State has sparked debate online about vote buying and poverty among voters.
The 19-second clip, which circulated widely on TikTok and other social media platforms, shows the woman carrying a small bag of rice on her head. The rice is believed to have been distributed as a campaign freebie linked to a governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In the video, the woman frames the rice as her “side hustle,” responding to someone who had asked what she does for extra income.
She begins the clip by saying, “No go hustle for food,” implying that securing something to eat was more important at the moment.
She then adds, “If e reach your turn no go collect rice. This rice, I’ll eat it for three months,” while suggesting the person asking about her side hustle should also find something to eat.
The video quickly drew reactions from social media users, many of whom used the moment to highlight concerns about election inducements and the difficult economic realities facing voters.
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User @OkosOstan wrote: “While celebrating rice gifts might seem lighthearted, it underscores the practical and symbolic ways candidates try to win votes in Nigeria, raising concerns about electoral fairness and the balance between campaigning and coercion.”
Another commenter, @thelolaeffects, criticised the woman’s reaction, saying: “Keep multiplying the rice every 3 months oo because that’s what you will keep eating as you already exchanged your rights for rice.”
Some users expressed frustration over what they see as a deeper national problem.
“There’s a lot of work we need to do as a nation,” wrote @Thournstephen, while @onosetale_usifo added: “Most Nigerians are the reason we are still like this.”
Others questioned the long-term value of such gifts. “You are wrong, this is what you will eat for the next 4 years,” wrote @falolaopeyemi3, while @Nithsmit asked: “So what happens after 3 months?”
Another user, @dammygtnet, commented: “Congratulations to her. A typical Nigerian voter.”
User @kelly521111 argued that the criticism online may not reflect reality, writing: “The problem with Nigeria is that majority of them who drop different comment over here will do the same in reality.”
The clip continues to circulate across social media platforms, fuelling renewed conversation about vote buying and the influence of poverty on electoral behaviour in Nigeria.