By Our Reporter
The All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Accord Party have been accused of engaging in widespread vote buying ahead of the Osun State governorship election, with voters allegedly offered between N10,000 and N20,000 in several parts of the state.
According to a report by Saturday PUNCH, the alleged inducement began days before Saturday’s election, with party agents reportedly distributing cash, food items and other materials to voters.
The report said some voters also alleged that the parties collected their bank account details ahead of the election, with plans to transfer money to them after they had voted.
The election is being contested by 12 candidates, including incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of Accord, APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji and African Democratic Congress candidate Najeem Salaam.
In Ilesa, voters reportedly said the APC was offering N20,000 per voter across Ilesa East, Ilesa West and Atakunmosa East Local Government Areas, while Accord was allegedly paying N10,000.
Some beneficiaries claimed the cash was distributed at locations linked to party leaders, while an APC chieftain in Ilesa West said the money was intended to cover transportation costs and not to buy votes.
In Osogbo, the APC was reportedly distributing N15,000 to selected voters across the 15 wards. An APC chieftain involved in the exercise claimed the money was for feeding ahead of the election.
The report also alleged that the APC budgeted N700,000 for each of the 170 polling units in Iwo, with an APC chieftain claiming that N15,000 was being distributed per voter.
In Ila Local Government Area, both parties were reportedly offering cash, with Accord allegedly increasing its offer from N10,000 to N20,000, while the APC was said to be offering N15,000.
In Ile-Ife, voters reportedly claimed that APC agents offered N15,000, while Accord offered N10,000. Some also alleged that voters were asked to present their Permanent Voter Cards before receiving money.
In Ikire, the hometown of APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji, both parties were reportedly accused of distributing cash ranging from N10,000 to N20,000.
The report also alleged that Accord distributed N10,000 to voters in Boluwaduro and asked some beneficiaries to swear an oath of allegiance to vote for Adeleke.
In Ede, Governor Adeleke’s hometown, Accord was reportedly distributing N10,000 per voter, while the APC allegedly offered N15,000 after its rival’s payment programme had continued for about two weeks.
The alleged vote-buying has also reportedly involved food items, including rice and salt, with some beneficiaries allegedly being subjected to oaths or threats to ensure they vote for the candidate of the party that provided the inducement.
Meanwhile, the police have warned politicians and voters against vote buying, describing the practice as an electoral offence.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Okokon Iniedu, said on Friday that anyone caught engaging in vote buying would be arrested and prosecuted.
The allegations come amid heightened political tension across Osun, with reports of killings and the deployment of soldiers to several flashpoints ahead of the governorship election.
