Samson Itodo, the executive director of Yiaga Africa, a civil society organisation (CSO), has claimed that major political parties engaged in vote buying during the Edo State governorship election, held on Saturday, September 21.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Morning Brief on Monday, Itodo stated that all key political parties were involved in electoral infractions, including offering money to voters.
According to reports by Yiaga Africa and other observer groups, voters were allegedly given between N5,000 and N10,000 to secure their votes.
“It is clear that all major parties were involved in vote buying,” Itodo said. “We observed this in several local government areas (LGAs), where voters were paid N10,000 or N5,000. Our report will provide more details later today.”
Yiaga Africa had earlier warned about potential violence and vote buying ahead of the election and stressed the need for strong measures, including the arrest and prosecution of those involved in such activities.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) also confirmed that some suspects were arrested for alleged vote buying during the poll.
The CSO said vote buying was observed in several LGAs including Ikpoba-Okha, Igueben, Esan West, Akoko Edo, Owan West, and Uhunmode, adding that strong-arm tactics and violence marred the campaigns.
Recall that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the election on Sunday, following a closely contested race.
Okpebholo secured 291,667 votes, defeating Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who received 247,274 votes. Labour Party candidate Olumide Akpata finished third with 22,761 votes.