Civic organisation Yiaga Africa has accused the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) of engaging in vote-buying during the ongoing off-cycle governorship election in Edo State.
In a statement issued on Friday, Yiaga Africa revealed that its Process and Results Verification for Transparency (PRVT) methodology, along with the Watching the Vote (WTV) initiative, uncovered instances where voters were offered N10,000.
While addressing the press, Dr. Aisha Abdullahi, Chair of the 2024 Edo Election Mission, and Samson Itodo, Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, along with board members including Prof. Nnamdi Aduba, Ezenwa Nwagwu, Cynthia Mbamalu, and Dr. Asmau Maikudi, stated:
“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 Primary School polling unit (12-10-03-004), Ward 1 in Igueben LGA.
“Party agents for APC and PDP were also seen handing out cash gifts (N10,000) at Enikaro-Enikaro Primary School IX Polling Unit (12-11-07-009) in Ugbekun Ward, Ikpoba/Okha LGA,” the statement said.
Yiaga Africa commended the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and security agencies for their swift response in arresting suspected vote buyers at polling units in Egor and Oredo LGAs.
As of 1:40 p.m., the Yiaga Africa WTV Data Centre received 16 verified critical incident reports, primarily related to the late opening of polls. Four polling units did not open, including two in Egor, one in Esan South East, and one in Etsako West.
The statement also highlighted delays caused by BVAS malfunctions in Ayogwiri Town Hall, Ayogwiri PU, Uzairure South East ward, Etsako West LGA, with voting yet to commence by 1 p.m.
Regarding disruptions, the statement noted that 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, after 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. Additionally, political thugs disrupted voting at Anyaran Araromi Primary School in Akoko Edo LGA.
The organisation urged security agencies to increase their presence in polling units and wards where delays occurred due to the late arrival of INEC officials, to prevent political thugs from exploiting the situation and compromising the process, especially if voting extends late into the night.