Former federal lawmaker, Dino Melaye, has alleged that the All Progressives Congress spent about N70 billion to influence voters during the just-concluded Osun State governorship election.
Melaye made the allegation in a post on his official Facebook page on Monday, while reacting to the outcome of the election and its possible implications for the 2027 general elections.
The former senator said the Osun election had provided important lessons for Nigerians, particularly on the relationship between vote buying and the choices eventually made by voters.
According to him, the APC allegedly spent a huge amount of money to secure votes but did not achieve the expected result.
Melaye claimed that despite the alleged spending, many voters collected money from the ruling party but went ahead to vote for candidates of their choice.
“Nigerians must learn from Osun election where APC spent a whopping N70 billion only to procure 444,816 votes plus rigging,” he wrote.
“The implication is that more people collected APC money and voted for their conscience.
“2027, collect APC money and vote your conscience. APC till we meet again.”
Melaye did not provide details or evidence to support his allegation that the APC spent N70 billion on vote buying or that the election was rigged.
The APC has also not, at the time of the allegation, publicly responded to the claim.
His comments have, however, added to the debate over the conduct of elections in Nigeria, particularly the growing concern about vote buying and the influence of money on voters.
Vote buying has remained a major issue in Nigerian elections, with political parties and candidates frequently accused of offering cash and other benefits to voters in exchange for their support.
Election observers and civil society organisations have repeatedly warned that the practice can undermine the credibility of elections and weaken democratic institutions.
The Osun governorship election was one of the most closely watched state elections ahead of the 2027 general elections. The contest attracted national attention because of the involvement of major political parties and the wider political rivalry between the ruling APC and opposition parties.
The election was also seen as an early test of the strength of political parties ahead of the next general election.
Melaye, a prominent opposition figure and former member of the Peoples Democratic Party, interpreted the result as evidence that voters could collect inducements but still make independent choices at the polling booth.
His argument was that money offered to voters did not necessarily guarantee electoral victory for the party or candidate providing it.
He therefore urged Nigerians to learn from the Osun experience ahead of 2027.
The former lawmaker’s message appeared to encourage voters not to surrender their voting rights because of financial inducements.
His statement that voters should “collect APC money and vote your conscience” is likely to generate further debate over the role of vote buying in future elections.
Electoral laws prohibit various forms of inducement intended to influence voters, while the Independent National Electoral Commission has consistently warned political parties and candidates against vote buying and other forms of electoral malpractice.
The issue has become particularly important as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 elections, when voters will elect the President, members of the National Assembly and, in many states, state assembly and governorship candidates.
Political parties are already positioning themselves for the elections, with several opposition groups working to strengthen their structures and challenge the APC, which controls the Federal Government.
The outcome of the Osun election is therefore expected to influence political calculations ahead of 2027.
Melaye’s allegation also comes amid wider claims by political actors over the use of money and the activities of security agencies during elections.
While such allegations are often made after elections, they require evidence and independent verification before they can be established as facts.
The Osun election itself was conducted under tight security, with thousands of security personnel deployed across the state to protect voters, election officials and electoral materials.
There were also concerns during the election over movement, the conduct of security personnel and alleged attempts to influence the process.
Despite the controversies surrounding the poll, the election results provided a fresh basis for political parties to assess their strengths and weaknesses ahead of 2027.
For the APC, the result is expected to prompt discussions on its campaign strategy and efforts to retain power at the national level.
For opposition parties, the outcome could strengthen calls for greater cooperation and a stronger grassroots campaign before the 2027 elections.
Melaye’s comments are also likely to keep the issue of vote buying in the public debate as political parties begin preparations for the next general elections.
The former lawmaker said the main lesson from Osun was that voters could accept money offered during campaigns or elections without necessarily allowing it to determine their final choice.
They also stress the need for political parties to focus on credible candidates and policies rather than relying on financial inducements to win elections.
As political activities gradually build towards 2027, the Osun election is likely to remain a reference point for debates about voter behaviour, money politics and the ability of candidates to win elections through genuine popular support.