Oshiomhole: Accusations APC Bought Votes From Edo People ‘Laughable’

Former governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole has denied the allegation that the All Progressive’s Congress (APC) brought money to buy votes.

Speaking with journalists after casting his vote at Iyamho, Ward 10 Unit 01 in Etsako West Local Government Area of the state, Oshiomhole said it was laughable for the opposition parties to make such spurious allegations.

His words: “It is laughable when I hear this kind of allegation. Did you see anywhere they are sharing money?

“People turned out in large numbers to vote for us because they wanted good government. During our campaign, people came out to see me not because I wanted to give them something but because of what I have done for them while I was in the office as the governor.

“All structures that I have put in place 12, 13 years ago are still there but the ones put up by the present administration, in one year, they are washed off.

“So, our people have seen the difference. Some people do tell me that since I left the government, they haven’t seen the real presence of government in their communities,” he explained.

Meanwhile, no fewer than nine suspects were arrested by the police for vote-buying and other offences.

While eight were arrested for suspected vote-buying, the ninth suspect posed as a fake journalist, claiming to be a staff member of a leading television station in the country.

Force Spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, said in a statement that two suspects, Emotingham Godspower and Farawei Isaac, were members of the PDP.

“The suspects, connected to a larger network involving one ‘Atiku’ and a kingpin known as ‘The Boss,’ were apprehended at So Cash Guest House in Ekpoma, where a substantial amount of cash and incriminating items were recovered.

“These items included a list of voters’ names with corresponding monetary values, a collection of pre-filled ballot papers, and a set of fake identification cards.”

He also stated that six other suspects were arrested with a large sum of money, weapons, and other items.

Adejobi added, “Furthermore, six suspects, namely Suleiman Abdurahim, Fatima Yakubu, Yusuf Aminat (52 years), Salihu Lukman (54 years), and Safianu Saratu (32 years), were all arrested at Aibotse Secondary School, beside Meremu Hotel, Auchi, for engaging in vote-buying.

This group was found with a large sum of money, a cache of weapons, and a detailed plan outlining strategies for voter intimidation.

“A fake journalist, who claimed to be a staff member of one of Nigeria’s leading television stations, was also apprehended, further highlighting the extent of the criminal network,” the statement added.

In a related development, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) also arrested two males and one female over alleged vote-buying in Egor LGA of the state.

Yiaga Africa also on Saturday alleged in its preliminary report that there were disturbing instances of vote-buying and logistical challenges in the election.

The report highlighted incidents of bribery, delays, and irregularities observed across various polling units.

According to Yiaga Africa, agents of the two major political parties were seen bribing voters with N10,000 each in some polling units, specifically in Igueben and Ikpoba/Okha Local Government Areas.

The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD-West Africa) Election Analysis Centre (EAC) also alleged that vote-buying and fake news characterised Saturday’s off-cycle governorship election in Edo State.

The Chair of CDD-EAC, Prof. Adele Jinadu, at a briefing on the preliminary statement on the election, in Abuja, also alleged that the ruling PDP and main opposition APC engaged in massive vote-buying in the presence of security agents, leading to an increase in voters’ turnout.

Chuks Okocha, Adedayo Akinwale, Adibe Emenyonu, Dike Onwuamaeze and Sunday Ehigiator