A coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room (NCSSR), say politicians bought votes from electorates at the Edo state governorship election with as low as N5000 and a loaf of 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 ₦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 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 however acknowledged the arrest of the two vote traders in George Udah primary school, ward 2, Oredo Local Government Area.
The Situation Room, a coalition of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), has commended the peaceful conduct of voters in the recent Edo State governorship election. The group urged voters to remain calm throughout the process, promoting a serene atmosphere for the polls .
Member Organizations of The Situation Room:
· 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
· TAF Africa
Others are 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.
