Osun APC: Vote-Buying Allegations Against Oyebamiji 'Fabricated'

• The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has denied allegations of vote-buying against its governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji.
• The party challenged three individuals - Dr Deji Adeleke, Davido, and Senator Dino Melaye - to provide evidence for their claims that the APC spent huge sums on vote-buying.
• The APC has accused supporters of the Accord Party of engaging in vote-buying during the election and has called for an investigation into alleged cash payments made to state workers and members of the NYSC.

Our party did not engage in vote-buying during the election, but instead, it was our opponents who engaged in acts that are morally and constitutionally considered an aberration.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State has found itself at the center of a storm over allegations of vote-buying during the recent governorship election. The party's candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, secured 444,815 votes, but his victory has been marred by claims that he engaged in illicit practices to influence voters. The APC has dismissed these allegations as 'fabricated and politically motivated,' but the controversy has sparked a heated debate about the role of money in Nigerian politics. In a statement, the party's Director of Media and Information, Mogaji Kola Olabisi, challenged three prominent individuals - Dr Deji Adeleke, Davido, and Senator Dino Melaye - to provide evidence for their claims that the APC spent huge sums on vote-buying.

The APC has pointed out discrepancies in the figures cited by the three individuals, with Deji Adeleke alleging N70 billion was spent, Davido putting the figure at N120 billion, and Melaye claiming N60 billion. The party argues that these conflicting estimates undermine the credibility of the allegations, which it describes as 'not based on facts.' Instead, the APC suggests that the claims are an attempt to discredit its candidate and the party itself. The controversy has also raised questions about the role of money in Nigerian politics, with many wondering whether vote-buying is a widespread practice in elections.

The APC has not only denied the allegations but has also accused supporters of the Accord Party of engaging in vote-buying during the election. The party claims that photographs and video recordings of such incidents have circulated widely, and it has challenged its opponents to explain alleged cash payments made to state workers and members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) shortly before the election. The APC argues that these payments should be investigated to determine whether they amount to vote-buying, which could have implications for the validity of Oyebamiji's victory.

Lawyers should be aware that the Osun APC's denial of vote-buying allegations may trigger an investigation by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and potentially lead to a review of the election results, which could have implications for the validity of Oyebamiji's victory.

Source: Original reporting via Leadership