CSOs Raise Alarm Over Vote Buying in Edo Governorship Election

 

A coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), including the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room (NCSSR), has raised concerns about widespread vote buying during the Edo State governorship election. According to the group, politicians were allegedly buying votes for as little as ₦5,000 and even offering food items like loaves of bread to sway voters.

In a statement co-signed by Yunusa Z. Ya’u, Mimidoo Achakpa, and Franklin Oloniju, the group highlighted several instances of vote buying in polling units across multiple local government areas. "Votes were sold for between ₦5,000 and ₦10,000 per voter in locations such as Owan-East, Etsako-West, and various polling units in Egor, Oredo, and Owan-West LGAs. Some voters were also given food items like bread as incentives," the statement read.

Despite the presence of security personnel, the coalition noted that vote trading was rampant. However, two individuals accused of vote buying were reportedly arrested at George Idah Primary School in Oredo Local Government Area.

The Situation Room, which comprises various CSOs such as the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), YIAGA Africa, and the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD-West Africa), commended the peaceful behavior of voters and urged them to stay calm as the election process continued. The group remains committed to monitoring the electoral process and advocating for accountability.

The coalition includes several organizations dedicated to democracy, good governance, and rights advocacy, such as the CLEEN Foundation, Action Aid Nigeria, and the Joint National Association of Persons with Disability (JONAPWD), among others.