As the Ondo governorship election draws near, there is growing concern over the rise of vote-buying, with politicians reportedly distributing food and cash to local residents in an attempt to secure their support before election day.
On the ground, it has been observed that essential goods such as rice, noodles, maize, and fertilizers are being handed out by political parties in what appears to be a last-minute push to sway voters. These distributions are seen as part of a broader strategy to attract votes through material inducements.
In Ifedore Local Government Area, Joseph Ayeni, a community leader, revealed that one major political party had been offering residents packs of noodles and bags of rice, presenting the gifts as a “goodwill gesture” from their candidate. “They came with packs of noodles and bags of rice, claiming it was from the governorship candidate,” Ayeni told Daily Trust.
In other areas, particularly among farmers, different items are being distributed. Some farmers reported receiving maize, fertilizers, and pesticides from another political party. One anonymous farmer shared, “They handed out these items during their campaign, explaining that they couldn’t visit without bringing something for us.”
This trend of material distribution has sparked concern from watchdog groups like Yiaga Africa, an election monitoring organization. The group recently expressed alarm over increasing reports of vote-buying in the lead-up to the election, particularly in local government areas such as Akure South, Ifedore, and Owo.
Safiya Bichi, the Head of Knowledge, Management, and Learning at Yiaga Africa, noted that vote inducement has become a troublingly common tactic in these regions. She explained that party leaders are collaborating with local community heads to distribute food and cash in an effort to influence the election’s outcome.
Bichi called on security agencies to take proactive measures to prevent the manipulation of voters, emphasizing the need to ensure a safe and fair election process. “It is critical to protect voters, election officials, and all participants in order to maintain the integrity of the election and prevent any forms of violence or intimidation,” she urged.
As the election nears, the ongoing distribution of goods and cash raises serious questions about the fairness of the process, and whether these actions will influence the results in a way that undermines the democratic principles of the election.
