Adebayo Adenrele
…hail DSS for arresting alleged vote traders
Civil Society Organizations, Centre for Democracy and Development West Africa (CDD West Africa) and Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI) have raised alarm over vote buying recorded in some local governments during the Ondo gubernatorial election.
Speaking with journalists at the preliminary election analysis, the team lead of CDD, Seyi Awojolugbe said their observers recorded cases of vote buying in some polling units.
The polling units include: Okitipupa LGA, Ward 09, unit 003 (Irowa, Ilutitun 3), where voters were solicited for their votes, with APC allegedly offering N10,000 per vote and PDP N3,000.
Other are: Odigbo LGA, ward 01, unit 001, Ese-Odo, Ward 07, unit 013, Ward 5, PU 001 located at st Johns Primary School, Iba Akoko South East, Ondo Central senatorial district such as Ifedore LGA, Ward 1, PU 12 (Olafare), Ondo East LGA, Ward 002, PU 002 and Akure North LGA, Ward 5, PU 13.
The group commended electorates for their peaceful conduct at the poll, urging political stakeholders to uphold the pillar of democracy as residents await the result of the elections.
“We commend voters in Ondo for the calm and peaceful manner in which they have conducted all through this process so far. Urge all stakeholders in the electoral process to ensure adherence to the rule of law and due process as the election, collation and declaration of results leads to the point of conclusion”. She said
Similarly, the Director of Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI), Dr Abiola Akinyode Afolabi said 1074 reports were submitted to their portal with 46 cases of vote buying and 22 incidents of violence.
She commended the operatives of Department of State Security Service (DSS) for apprehending two suspected vote traders who tried to discredit the dignity of democracy at the poll.