The All Progressives Congress and Accord Party have been accused of widespread vote-buying ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in Osun State, with voters reportedly offered between ₦10,000 and ₦20,000.
The PUNCH reports that the alleged vote-buying began about six days before the election, earlier than in previous polls.
Some voters also alleged that political agents collected their bank account details and planned to pay them after they voted.
In Ila, the headquarters of Ila Local Government Area, residents said APC agents offered ₦15,000 per eligible voter, while Accord agents offered as much as ₦20,000.
One resident said he and his wife collected ₦20,000 each from Accord leaders.
“We were asked to swear an oath that we would vote for Adeleke.
"But we didn’t take any oath.
"So many others were given ₦10,000,” the resident said.
Another resident, Isaac Ibirogba, said Accord initially offered ₦10,000 before increasing the amount to ₦20,000, while the APC was offering ₦15,000.
“I am aware that both parties started their cash distribution on Tuesday,” Ibirogba said.
“Some of my people in Sabo, Ilare, Oluorogbo and Enuwa collected the money.”
Reports also indicated that voters in Ikire, the hometown of APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji, were being offered between ₦10,000 and ₦20,000.
The allegations come after weeks of accusations between the two parties over vote-buying.
The APC has also accused the Osun government of using ₦20,000 palliative payments to workers to influence voters, while the government has rejected such claims.
The Independent National Electoral Commission is, at the moment, conducting what appears to be a peaceful election process, with incumbent Gov. Ademola Adeleke of Accord seeking another term against Oyebamiji and other candidates.
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