21st September, 2024
An observer group, Yiaga Africa, says its observers witnessed agents of the All Progressives Congress and Peoples Democratic Party bribing voters at some polling units in the ongoing governorship election in Edo State.
Yiaga Africa’s Chair of the 2024 Edo Election Mission, Dr. Aisha Abdullahi, made this allegation at a press conference in Benin on Saturday where she unfolded the preliminary findings of the organisation.
She said, “Yiaga Africa observers reported incidents of vote
buying in Ikpoba/Okha, Igueben, Esan West, Akoko Edo, Owan West and
Uhunmode LGAs.
“APC and PDP party agents were seen bribing voters with cash (N10,000) at the Igueben – Idumoka Pri School polling unit (12-10-03-004) Ward 1 in Igueben LGA.
“Party agents for APC and PDP
were also seen handing out cash gi s (N10,000) in Enikaro – Enikaro Primary School IX Polling Unit (12-11-07-009) in Ugbekun ward, Ikpoba/Okha LGA”.
She said vote buying disrupted ths voting process in some areas.
“Voters halted the accreditation and voting process in the Ikpoba—Army Children XI polling unit (12-11-01-011) in Iwogban/Uteh Ward, Ikpoba/Okha LGA because INEC officials arrived without the official stamp
“At Ebua Market Square in Uhunwode LGA, an altercation between APC and PDP supporters over alleged bribery led to the suspension of voting and the destruction of the voting cubicle. Political thugs also disrupted voting at Anyaran Araromi Primary School in Akoko Edo LGA”, Abdullahi stated.
The group recommended that the voting time be extended to 5 pm as INEC officials arrived late to some polling units.
It also called on security agencies to improve their presence in polling units and wards where there were delays.
