According to a coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room (NCSSR), politicians bought votes from voters in Edo state’s governorship race for as little as N5000 and a loaf of bread.
“Situation Room observers reported widespread instances of blatant vote buying and selling across several polling units, despite the huge presence of security personnel. The price of votes ranged from ₦5,000 to ₦10,000 per voter in several locations, including PU08 and 09 Ward 2, Owan-East LGA; PU 02 Ward 2, Etsako-West LGA; and several polling units in Egor, Oredo and Owan-West LGAs. In some cases, voters were also induced with food items such as bread,”,” the group said in a statement co-signed by Yunusa Z. Ya’u, Mimidoo Achakpa and Franklin Oloniju.
The group did, however, recognize the arrest of the suspected two vote brokers at George Idah Primary School, Ward 2, Oredo Local Government Area.
The Situation Room praised voters’ peaceful conduct and encouraged them to remain calm during the process.
The Situation Room is comprised of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) such as Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), CLEEN Foundation, Action Aid Nigeria, Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD-West Africa), YIAGA Africa, and TAF Africa.
Other organizations include the Emma Ezeazu Center for Good Governance and Accountability (formerly the Alliance for Credible Elections), the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Center (RULAAC), the Women’s Rights to Education Programme, the Democratic Action Group (DAG), the New Initiative for Social Development (NISD), the Life and Peace Development Organization (LAPDO), the Rural Youth Initiative, the Challenged Parenthood Initiative (CPI), the Center for Health and Development in Africa (CHEDA), and the Josemaria Escriva Foundation.
A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.
Nnamdi Okoli