A coalition of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), known as the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room (NCSSR), has raised alarm over incidents of voter bribery observed at polling units during the governorship election in Edo State on September 21.
In a statement released on Saturday afternoon, the organization reported numerous occurrences of overt vote buying and selling taking place across various polling units, despite the significant deployment of security forces.
The statement, co-authored by Yunusa Z. Ya’u, Mimidoo Achakpa, and Franklin Oloniju, detailed that the cost of votes varied between N5,000 and N10,000 at different locations, such as PU08 and 09 in Ward 2 of Owan-East Local Government Area, PU 02 in Ward 2 of Etsako-West LGA, as well as several units in Egor, Oredo, and Owan-West LGAs.
Additionally, the group noted that voters were sometimes tempted with food items, including bread.
However, the Situation Room recognized the apprehension of two individuals accused of engaging in vote trading at George Idah Primary School in Ward 2 of Oredo LGA.
The organization praised the generally peaceful behavior of voters and encouraged them to maintain their composure throughout the electoral process.
