A coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) under the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room (NCSSR) has raised alarms over widespread vote-buying during the Edo State governorship election. According to the group, voters were offered between ₦5,000 and ₦10,000, as well as food items like loaves of bread, in exchange for their votes.
In a statement signed by representatives Yunusa Z. Ya’u, Mimidoo Achakpa, and Franklin Oloniju, the coalition reported blatant instances of vote trading across several polling units, despite the heavy presence of security personnel. Notable locations included polling units in Owan-East, Etsako-West, Egor, Oredo, and Owan-West local government areas.
"Situation Room observers reported widespread instances of blatant vote buying and selling across several polling units," the statement read. "The price of votes ranged from ₦5,000 to ₦10,000 per voter in several locations, including PU08 and 09 in Ward 2, Owan-East LGA, and other polling units in Egor, Oredo, and Owan-West LGAs. In some cases, voters were also induced with food items such as bread."
Despite the troubling reports, the group acknowledged some positive actions by security forces, including the arrest of two individuals allegedly involved in vote trading at George Idah Primary School in Oredo Local Government Area.
The Situation Room commended voters for their peaceful conduct during the election and urged them to remain calm throughout the process.
The coalition consists of prominent CSOs such as the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), CLEEN Foundation, ActionAid Nigeria, Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD-West Africa), YIAGA Africa, and others. These organizations continue to monitor the electoral process closely and advocate for greater transparency and accountability in Nigeria's elections.
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