EFCC Arrests Suspected Vote Buyers in Edo Governorship Election
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested several individuals for alleged vote buying during the Edo governorship election. Eyewitnesses reported seeing EFCC and police operatives apprehend three suspects—a male duo and a female—at a polling unit in Egor Local Government Area.
Vote buying, where politicians incentivize voters to cast their ballots for specific candidates, has become increasingly common in Nigeria’s electoral process. Ahead of the elections, Yiaga Africa, a civil society organization, warned that the possibility of violence and vote buying was heightened, particularly in Egor and seven other identified hotspots, including Ovia South-West and Oredo.
Yiaga Africa underscored the urgency of tackling vote buying through decisive measures, including the arrest and prosecution of those involved. The organization also noted a “volatile political climate” during the campaigns, marked by intimidation and aggressive tactics. With 17 candidates vying for over 2.2 million votes across Edo’s 18 LGAs, the integrity of the election remains a critical concern.
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