Ondo Poll: CSOs slam vote buying, blame parties, candidates

Three Civil Society Organisations that deployed observers for the Ondo State Governorship Election have condemned the vote trading that tainted the polls across the state.

The CSOs—Yiaga Africa, Civil Society Situation Room, and the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD)—highlighted the timely arrival of voting materials at many polling centres during their post-election media briefings on Saturday in Akure.

However, they lamented the persistence of vote trading, even in the presence of security agents, and called for urgent action to address the problem.

Chairman of the 2024 Ondo Election Mission for Yiaga Africa, Ezenwa Nwagwu, stated that political parties and their candidates were responsible for the widespread practice of vote buying.

He said, “Yiaga Africa observed widespread vote buying across several polling units, which is becoming a permanent feature of our electoral process. We strongly condemn this practice as it fosters electoral corruption and political inequality.

“We commend the Department of State Security for arresting an individual allegedly involved in vote trading at the St. Stephen Polling Unit in Ward 4, Akure.

“Yiaga Africa holds political parties and their candidates accountable for this persistent issue. They cannot distance themselves from the vote buying that continues to undermine our electoral processes.”

Similarly, representatives of the Civil Society Situation Room and the CDD, Mimidoo Achakpa and Seyi Awojolugbe, shared their findings, highlighting infractions observed during the election.

Awojolugbe, presenting the CDD-Election Analysis Centre’s findings, noted several instances of vote buying.

“In Okitipupa LGA, Ward 09, Unit 003 (Irowa, Ilutitun 3), voters were solicited for their votes, with APC allegedly offering ₦10,000 per voter and PDP ₦3,000. In Odigbo LGA, Ward 01, Unit 001 (Oja Baale, Agbabu), similar allegations were made.

“Our observers also reported instances of electronic money transfers by party agents to avoid using cash. In Ese-Odo, Ward 07, Unit 013 (Tari Ama Zion Ugo Community, Arogbo Ward 2), APC was alleged to have offered ₦5,000 per voter, while PDP offered ₦3,000.

“Vote buying was also prevalent in Ward 5, PU 001, St John’s Primary School, Iba, Akoko South East. APC leaders were seen compiling names of voters who supported their candidate and issuing cards with instructions to collect cash at a designated location.”

She added that police officers were seen arguing over money allegedly distributed by a party stalwart at Ward 005, PU 001, St Barnabas Primary School, Ifon.

Awojolugbe also disclosed incidents of voter suppression, particularly at Akoko North West, Oke Agbe Ward 3, Unit 17.

Commending voters for maintaining peace during the election, she urged electoral stakeholders to adhere to the rule of law and ensure due process in future elections.