- People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Olafeso accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of Vote-Buying, claiming APC paid ₦10,000 per voter
- Backlash emerged following allegations, with the public claiming both major parties are engaged in election fraud with the highest bidder winning
- TheRadar compiled the public reactions following the accusation below
Nigerians have expressed reactions following accusations of vote-buying in the just-concluded Ondo State governorship election. Dr Eddy Olafeso, Director General of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) campaign council, alleged that the All Progressives Congress (APC) had engaged in vote-buying by offering ₦10,000 per voter.
PDP accuses APC of vote-buying in Ondo election
He said, “We have been here since around 8 a.m., and everything appears in line with the electoral law, especially in the area I voted. But our fear is the APC, which has not done anything for the people in the last four years, is muddying up the process by paying N10,000 to each voter. We have witnessed it here, and we have complained, but it appears intractable.
“For us, no matter the kind of profligacy they are introducing into the electoral process, the truth will prevail in the final analysis.
“You know it is a long process, and voting is the first stage. We are waiting for it to be uploaded into IREV, and we are waiting to take our results from the E8CA to ensure that everything is appropriately recorded.
“Like I said, the only fear is the vote-buying the APC is trying to entrench into the culture of voting in Nigeria,” Olafeso stated.
APC Lucky Aiyedatiwa wins Ondo governorship elections
The APC's candidate, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, was declared the winner of the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Sunday, November 17.
Aiyedatiwa secured 366,781 votes, defeating his closest rival, Agboola Ajayi of the PDP, who garnered 113,845 votes. Aiyedatiwa won in all 18 local councils, while other candidates from the 15 smaller parties trailed significantly, each receiving fewer than 14,000 votes.
While Olafeso's claims of vote-buying have stirred a range of public reactions, public responses have suggested both political parties were involved in election fraud and victory went to the highest bidder.
Public reacts to vote-buying allegations in Ondo elections
TheRadar compiled public reactions following the allegations below:
“Both the two major political parties are guilty of vote buying. Is the highest bidder that won the election. I just conclude that vote buying has actually come to stay in Nigeria,” Big-Bash stated.
“APC want to remain in power..By all means..And their first plan was to make. Nigerians poor .So that's citizens can accept peanut and vote them..APC has weaponize poverty in Nigeria..This suffer go long..Oppositions wake-up,” Cyril Prince reacted.
“This PDP's agent would have been taken seriously if his party didn't engaged in vote buying in yesterday's gubernatorial election in Ondo State,” Lincoln Amas added.
“PDP were beaten in their game and are crying wolf. Things I like to see,” Samaila Ibrahim stated.
“Where did he hide the money given to him to do same?”Temmy reacted.
“Two criminals, only say one criminal pass one,” Illest Flows stated.
“They're both criminals,” Swiftlink stated.
“Court you've bribed”: Reactions follow Tinubu’s statement on Ondo election dispute
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that President Tinubu urged dissatisfied parties to explore the legal route if they dispute the Ondo election results.
The Radar compiled a range of public reactions to the President’s statement following the election result.