A civic group, the Social Crusade for a Sane Society, has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of exploiting the current economic hardship in Nigeria to influence the results of the recent Ondo State governorship election.
In a statement released on Monday, the group claimed that the APC used the severe economic difficulties faced by the people of Ondo State to buy votes at a price of ₦10,000 each.
The allegation comes after the State Returning Officer, Prof. Olayemi Durotimi Akinwunmi of the Federal University Lokoja, announced Lucky Aiyedatiwa as the winner of the election on Sunday afternoon.
Aiyedatiwa, the APC candidate, secured 366,781 votes to defeat his closest rival, Agboola Ajayi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who garnered 117,845 votes.
“APC’s Clean Sweep in Ondo”
The APC’s victory in the election was not just a win for Aiyedatiwa but a clean sweep across all 18 local government areas of Ondo State.
These areas include Ifedore, Ondo East, Ileoluji Oke-Igbo, Idanre, Irele, Akoko South West, Owo, Ondo West, Akoko South East, Akoko North West, Ose, Akoko North East, Akure South, Akure North, Okitipupa, Odigbo, Ilaje, and Ese Odo.
Despite this overwhelming result, the election has been marred by accusations of widespread vote-buying, leading to growing concerns about the fairness and integrity of the electoral process in the state.
“Civic Group Denounces Vote-Buying”
Icon-James Tam, Convener of the Social Crusade for a Sane Society, did not mince words in condemning the conduct of the election. He described the election as “unfair” and accused the APC of exploiting the economic struggles of the Ondo people to sway the outcome.
“The backdrop to this election was one of severe economic hardship,” Tam said in the statement. “The soaring prices of basic commodities have left many Ondo residents struggling to make ends meet.”
The group claims that the APC took advantage of this desperation, offering ₦10,000 per vote to individuals who were financially burdened and could not afford to reject such offers.
“Reports of Widespread Vote-Buying”
The statement also highlights alarming reports of vote-buying activities that allegedly took place throughout the state.
“Reports emerged of individuals possessing multiple voter cards and voting in different units, collecting up to ₦20,000 for their participation in this electoral charade,” the statement read.
This kind of electoral malpractice, the group argues, is a clear sign that the APC was willing to go to any lengths to secure victory, even if it meant undermining the democratic process.
The claims of vote-buying were not limited to urban centers but reportedly extended to rural areas as well, where people are often more vulnerable to financial incentives due to economic hardship.
“Violence and Intimidation in Idanre”
In addition to the allegations of vote-buying, there were also reports of violence and intimidation in certain areas, particularly in Idanre, where clashes were said to have taken place.
These incidents have further tainted the image of the election, with critics claiming that the APC resorted to both financial and physical pressure to ensure its candidates emerged victorious.
However, despite the challenges, the election proceeded, and Aiyedatiwa’s victory was officially announced.
“Aiyedatiwa’s Leadership Under Scrutiny”
With the election now over, attention has turned to Aiyedatiwa and what his re-election will mean for the people of Ondo State.
The Social Crusade for a Sane Society has called on the governor to focus on addressing the state’s urgent issues, particularly in the education and health sectors.
“The educational sector is crumbling; despite your claims during the gubernatorial debate of employing 2,000 teachers, no tangible evidence supports this assertion,” the statement said.
The group urged the governor to make good on his promises and ensure that the state’s resources are used to improve public services.
“The health sector is similarly in shambles and demands urgent attention,” the statement continued. “With the state’s resources at your disposal, you must demonstrate true leadership, deliver good governance, and lift Ondo State out of its current state of national embarrassment.”
“APC’s Unchallenged Dominance”
The accusation of vote-buying adds to the growing concerns about the integrity of elections in Nigeria, particularly in states where the ruling party holds significant power.
The APC, despite these accusations, has largely maintained its dominance in Ondo, with Aiyedatiwa’s victory being a reflection of the party’s continued control of the state’s political landscape.
Opposition parties, particularly the PDP, have struggled to compete against the financial might of the APC, which has deepened concerns about the fairness of the electoral process.
The Social Crusade for a Sane Society ended its statement with a call for urgent electoral reforms to ensure that elections in Ondo and across Nigeria are free, fair, and free from undue influence.
“It is time for Nigeria to stand up for democracy and demand a system where votes are not bought, where people are not intimidated, and where elections are truly reflective of the will of the people,” the statement concluded.
