A coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room (NCSSR), have accused politicians of buying votes with N5000 and a loaf of bread at the Edo State governorship election....For More READ THE FULL STORY▶▶
Observers from the Situation Room reported widespread instances of unashamed vote buying at several polling units, despite the heavy presence of security personnel. It was gathered that the cost of votes varied from N5,000 to N10,000 as well as bread.
“Situation Room observers reported widespread instances of blatant vote buying and selling across several polling units, despite the huge presence of security personnel.
The price of votes ranged from N5,000 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 several polling units in Egor, Oredo and Owan-West LGAs.
In some cases, voters were also induced with food items such as bread,” the group said in a statement co-signed by Yunusa Z. Ya’u, Mimidoo Achakpa and Franklin Oloniju.
The group confirmed the arrest of two vote buyers at the George Idah Primary School in Ward 2, Oredo Local Government Area.
Despite these incidents, the observers commended the peaceful conduct of voters and encouraged them to remain calm throughout the election process in their respective polling units.
The Situation Room comprises of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) including Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), CLEEN Foundation, Action Aid Nigeria, Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD-West Africa), YIAGA Africa, are TAF Africa.
Others include 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 Josemaria Escriva Foundation..…For More READ THE FULL STORY ▶
