Ahead of the Saturday’s governorship election in Osun State, the Transition Monitoring Group, TMG, on Wednesday alleged that vote-buying was ongoing in some Local Government Areas of the state.
The group’s Chairperson, Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, disclosed that the organisation had received reports of distribution of money, food items and gifts by politicians at Boripe, Atakumosa East, Atakumosa West, Ife North, Ife South, Obokun, Ede North, Egbedore, Boluwaduro, Ila, Irepodun, Iwo Local Government Areas of the state.
Akiyode-Afolabi in a statement claimed that the ugly trend of voter inducement was inimical to the credibility of the electoral process.
The statement reads, “These ugly trends are dangerous recipe against the credibility of the electoral process. The rampant case of voter inducements does not portray the electoral process in good light as it creates serious questions on the integrity of the process and legitimacy of its outcome.
“TMG has also received reports of violence or threats of violence as political parties go out for campaigns, we, therefore, call on candidates and their supporters to remain civil in their campaigns.”
Akiyode-Afolabi called on residents of the state not to allow themselves to be used as instruments for violence.
She noted that the accusation and counter-accusation of vandalization of billboards by political parties are unfortunate and should be discouraged.
“This is indeed an early warning signal that security agencies should investigate to ensure a peaceful election comes September 22nd.
“TMG enjoins the Nigerian Police, State Security Service, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps and other major election monitors to subdue the issue of voter inducement across the state ahead of the elections.
“We also urge citizens to say no to vote buying as any politician that gives citizens money for their votes does not have good plans for them,” she added.
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