Two observer groups monitoring the ongoing Ondo State Governorship Election have raised concerns over widespread electoral malpractice in Akure, Ondo Town, Igbara Oke, Ilaramokin, Okitipupa, and other areas of the state.
The groups alleged that fears about vote-buying, especially by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), have been realized, as voters are reportedly required to photograph their ballot papers as proof in exchange for cash payments ranging from N20,000 to N25,000.
The Joint Action Council for Democratic Governance (JACODEG) and the Social Alliance for Democratisation in Nigeria (SADEN) expressed their concerns in separate statements released on Saturday. According to the statements, signed by JACODEG's Executive Director, Mr. Dennis Okparaocha, and SADEN's Coordinator, Justina Nkano, the credibility of the election is in jeopardy if security agencies do not take immediate action against the ongoing vote-buying practices at various polling units.
The observer groups accused the Nigeria Police of turning a blind eye to the APC’s alleged vote-buying activities, criticizing the officers at polling units for failing to address the corruption.
They urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the Department of State Services (DSS) to intervene swiftly to prevent the undermining of the people’s choice in the election.
The groups also commended the DSS for their vigilance, highlighting the arrest of a politician found with two large bags of cash near St. Stephen’s Primary School on Ijomu Street, Akure.
