THE Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room (NCSSR), a coalition of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), has reported instances of voter inducement at polling units during the September 21 governorship election in Edo State.
According to a statement released this afternoon, the Situation Room’s observers noted widespread cases of blatant vote buying and selling at several polling units, despite the significant presence of security personnel.
The statement, co-signed by Yunusa Z. Ya’u, Mimidoo Achakpa, and Franklin Oloniju, highlighted that votes were being sold for amounts ranging between ₦5,000 and ₦10,000 per voter in various locations. These included Poling Units 08 and 09 in Ward 2, Owan-East LGA; PU 02 in Ward 2, Etsako-West LGA; and several polling units in Egor, Oredo, and Owan-West LGAs.
In some instances, voters were also enticed with food items, such as bread.
The group acknowledged the arrest of two alleged vote traders at George Idah Primary School in Ward 2, Oredo Local Government Area.
Despite these challenges, the Situation Room commended the peaceful behavior of voters and encouraged them to remain calm throughout the electoral process.
The Situation Room comprises several CSOs, including the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), CLEEN Foundation, Action Aid Nigeria, Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD-West Africa), YIAGA Africa, and TAF Africa.
Other member organizations include the Emma Ezeazu Centre for Good Governance and Accountability (formerly Alliance for Credible Elections), Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), Kimpact Development Initiative, Democratic Action Group (DAG), Women’s Rights to Education Programme, Joint National Association of Persons with Disability (JONAPWD), DIG Ebonyi, New Initiative for Social Development (NISD), Life and Peace Development Organization (LAPDO), Rural Youth Initiative, Challenged Parenthood Initiative (CPI), Centre for Health and Development in Africa (CHEDA), and Josemaria Escriva Foundation.