Not For Sale EP 7: Voice of the People and the Fight for the Ballot

The radio drama "Not For Sale" is a civic-focused production designed to educate the public on election integrity and community participation. Set during the "dawn of a new era" as an election approach, the plot follows a community's struggle against political corruption, vote-buying, and intimidation.

The narrative centres on a character named Majie, a retired Magistrate who serves as a vocal advocate for electoral justice. He actively warns the community against trading their future for "bags of rice" or money, reminding them that their vote is their power and right. Majie uses his platform to educate citizens on the Electoral Act 2022, specifically highlighting that the unlawful possession, buying, or selling of voter’s cards are criminal offences. He further warns that receiving bribes even after an election carries a hefty fine of at least 500,000 Naira.

The tension escalates when a local political "Boss" Hon.Madukanaya becomes frustrated by a mysterious radio broadcast that is "megaphoning" support for a rival, credible candidate. The Hon. suspects Majie is running an unauthorised radio station from his home to "mess up" the election for the established powers. Consequently, Majie is invited for questioning, and the police obtain a warrant to search his house.

During the search, the drama highlights themes of vigilance and justice through Majie's wife. Suspicious that the police might plant evidence to silence her husband, she refuses to let them enter until she has searched the officers themselves. Although the police "turn every house" and "all of the rooms upside down," they find no evidence of radio equipment, leaving the Hon. to plot a different way to stop Majie’s influential message.

The drama concludes with a powerful behaviour change message, urging the audience to "wise up". It frames the choice as one between "progress and development" or "denial, hunger, and suffering". The final warning reminds listeners that selling a vote for 5,000Naira today is a crime against their own conscience that will leave them "begging for food tomorrow".