Politicians Distribute Bread, Cash To Influence Votes In Edo Election

Politicians Distribute Bread, Cash To Influence Votes In Edo Election
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A coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room (NCSSR) has raised concerns over widespread vote-buying in the recent Edo state governorship election, revealing that politicians offered as little as ₦5,000 and a loaf of bread to secure votes from citizens.

In a statement signed by Yunusa Z. Ya’u, Mimidoo Achakpa, and Franklin Oloniju, the group reported that their observers witnessed numerous cases of vote trading at various polling units, despite the significant presence of security forces. “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 various polling units in Egor, Oredo, and Owan-West LGAs. In some instances, voters were also offered food items like bread as an incentive,” the statement read.

Despite these troubling incidents, the group acknowledged the arrest of two suspected vote-buyers at George Idah Primary School, located in Ward 2 of Oredo Local Government Area.

The Situation Room also praised voters for their peaceful conduct throughout the election and encouraged them to remain calm as the process continued.

The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room comprises several CSOs, including the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), CLEEN Foundation, ActionAid Nigeria, Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD-West Africa), YIAGA Africa, and TAF Africa.

Other participating organizations include the Emma Ezeazu Centre for Good Governance and Accountability (formerly Alliance for Credible Elections), Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), Kimpact Development Initiative, Democratic Action Group (DAG), Women’s Rights to Education Programme, Joint National Association of Persons with Disability (JONAPWD), DIG Ebonyi, New Initiative for Social Development (NISD), Life and Peace Development Organization (LAPDO), Rural Youth Initiative, Challenged Parenthood Initiative (CPI), Centre for Health and Development in Africa (CHEDA), and the Josemaria Escriva Foundation.