Osun Voters Allege Vote-Buying as Cash Handlers Flee With Money in Polythene Bags
Allegations of vote-buying surfaced during the Osun governorship election as some voters claimed that people suspected of distributing cash hurriedly fled with money packed in polythene bags after their activities drew attention.
The allegations were reported at Ward 4, Unit 7 and Unit 13 in Ejigbo Local Government Area, where voters accused suspected APC supporters of attempting to distribute cash during Saturday’s governorship election.
According to voters in a video from the area, the first incident allegedly occurred around 9:30 a.m. at Unit 7, while another was reported about an hour later at Unit 13.
The voters said they confronted those accused of sharing the money, prompting them to flee. They alleged that some of the cash was hurriedly packed into a polythene bag and taken away.
Some residents also displayed cash they claimed was recovered during the confrontation, along with a card they identified as belonging to the APC.
The polling units are linked to Najeem Salaam, popularly known as Iwaloye, the African Democratic Congress governorship candidate. Voters alleged that the people involved in the cash distribution were APC supporters.
However, the allegations had not been independently verified as of the time of the report, and the APC had not issued an immediate response.
The incident has added to concerns about electoral inducement during the Osun governorship election, despite repeated warnings by authorities against vote-buying and other electoral offences.