Vote-Buying Allegations Surface at Ondo State Polling Units

Vote-Buying Allegations Surface at Ondo State Polling Units

In the Irele Local Government Area of Ondo State, party agents from two major political parties were seen engaging in what appeared to be a vote-buying scheme during the ongoing election. The agents were spotted at the Anglican Primary School polling unit, visibly distributing cash to voters.

One female agent was observed showing voters bundles of money while urging them to quickly check their names on the voters' register. The display of cash seemed intended to reinforce the agent's seriousness about the vote-buying operation. Meanwhile, another agent arrived in a minivan carrying a Ghana-must-go bag filled with money, accompanied by a list she appeared to be drawing up for distribution.

Sources on the ground confirmed that the woman with the minivan is a known agent for a political party (name withheld) in the area. When approached by our correspondent, a local resident explained that many voters, including a heavily pregnant woman, were participating in the election with the expectation of receiving financial compensation. “Dibo ko sebe,” the resident remarked, which translates to “vote and cook a pot of soup,” highlighting the widespread belief that casting a vote would secure a monetary reward.