Adeboje Lukman
Allegations of vote buying have cast a shadow over the Ekiti State governorship election as voters headed to the polls across the state’s 16 local government areas on Saturday.
Reports from several polling units indicated that political actors were allegedly offering cash and other inducements to voters in exchange for support. The allegations emerged despite repeated warnings by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, and civil society organisations against electoral malpractice.
Prior to the election, INEC had identified vote buying as one of the major threats to the credibility of the poll and pledged to work with security agencies to curb the practice. The commission warned that anyone caught engaging in vote trading would face prosecution under the Electoral Act.
Observers and civil society groups also intensified voter education campaigns, urging residents to reject monetary inducements and vote according to their conscience. On the eve of the election, advocacy groups conducted sensitisation exercises across major towns in the state, stressing that the future of Ekiti should not be sacrificed for short-term financial gains.
Meanwhile, security personnel were deployed to strategic locations to maintain order and monitor compliance with electoral regulations. Authorities reiterated their commitment to ensuring a peaceful, transparent, and credible election process.
As vote counting commenced in various polling units, stakeholders called on electoral authorities to investigate all reported cases of vote buying and ensure that offenders are brought to justice.
The outcome of the election is expected to serve as a significant test of Nigeria’s commitment to electoral integrity ahead of future polls.