The All Progressives Congress and the Accord Party have been accused of engaging in widespread vote-buying across Osun State ahead of Saturday’s governorship election, with voters reportedly offered between N10,000 and N20,000.
Findings by Saturday PUNCH indicated that the alleged inducement began several days before the election, with some voters claiming that party agents collected their bank account details for payments after voting.
The election pits incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party against the APC candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, African Democratic Congress candidate Najeem Salaam and other contenders. A total of 1,906,390 registered voters who collected their Permanent Voter Cards are expected to participate.
In Ilesa, residents alleged that APC agents were distributing N20,000 per voter in several polling areas, while Accord was reportedly offering N10,000. Similar reports emerged from Osogbo, Iwo, Aiyedire, Ila, Ile-Ife, Ikire and Ede, with reported payments ranging from N10,000 to N20,000.
Some residents also alleged that food items, including rice, were distributed alongside cash. In some communities, beneficiaries were reportedly asked to swear oaths of allegiance to the candidates. However, an APC chieftain in Ilesa described the cash distribution as transportation assistance rather than vote-buying.
The police warned politicians and voters against vote-buying, describing it as an electoral offence. The Force Public Relations Officer, Okokon Iniedu, said anyone caught engaging in the practice would be arrested and prosecuted.
The election has also been preceded by reports of violence. At least eight people were reportedly killed between Monday and Friday in Ilesa and Esa-Oke, while several others were injured in separate incidents. Security forces have consequently deployed personnel, including soldiers and armoured personnel carriers, to several flashpoints and border communities.
The APC and Accord have traded accusations over alleged attacks and the mobilisation of political thugs. The APC accused the Adeleke administration of harbouring suspected hoodlums at the Government House, while Accord alleged widespread attacks on its members, supporters and properties across the state.
Meanwhile, YIAGA Africa Executive Director, Samson Itodo, expressed concern that the level of vote-buying and violence could undermine the credibility of the election. He described the situation as the “weaponisation of poverty and the monetisation of politics” and urged voters to vote according to their conscience.
The Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies have continued preparations for the poll, with authorities calling for a peaceful election and warning against acts capable of disrupting the process.
