Osun State Governorship Election: APC, Accord Party Accused of Vote Buying

• The APC and Accord Party have been accused of engaging in widespread vote-buying in Osun State.
• Voters are being offered between N10,000 and N20,000 in exchange for their votes.
• Both parties' agents are collecting account numbers from thousands of voters before the election.
• Vote-buying is prohibited under Nigerian Electoral Law and can lead to severe penalties.

In Ilesa, it was found that the APC was distributing N20,000 per voter, while Accord was disbursing N10,000 to voters.

In the lead-up to the Osun State governorship election, both the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Accord Party have been accused of engaging in widespread vote-buying. According to reports, agents of both parties offered voters between N10,000 and N20,000 in exchange for their votes. This practice has been observed across various polling units in Osun State, with some instances dating back six days before the election. In Ilesa, it was found that the APC was distributing N20,000 per voter, while Accord was disbursing N10,000 to voters. The parties' agents were also collecting account numbers from thousands of voters a week before the election, with plans to credit them after voting.

The practice of vote-buying is a serious concern in Nigeria's electoral process. Under the Nigerian Electoral Law, vote-buying is prohibited and can lead to severe penalties for those found guilty. The law requires that voters cast their ballots freely without any form of inducement or coercion. However, despite these regulations, vote-buying remains a persistent issue in many elections across the country. In this case, both the APC and Accord Party seem to be disregarding the law by engaging in vote-buying activities.

The Osun State governorship election is not just a contest between two parties but also a test of the integrity of Nigeria's electoral process. The widespread practice of vote-buying undermines the legitimacy of the election and can lead to electoral irregularities. Lawyers and compliance officers should be aware of this potential issue and advise their clients accordingly. It is essential for all stakeholders involved in the election to ensure that the voting process remains free and fair.

Lawyers and compliance officers should be aware of the potential for vote-buying in the Osun State governorship election, which could lead to electoral irregularities and undermine the integrity of the process. They may need to advise clients on how to navigate this situation.

Source: Original reporting via Saturday PUNCH