Osun poll: ICPC rallies against vote-buying, deploys operatives to 30 LGs

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) is taking a firm stance against vote-buying in Nigeria's upcoming Osun State governorship election. Operatives will be deployed across all 30 local government areas to monitor and prevent electoral corruption.

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We are out here to let the people of the state to know that vote buying is a crime under Nigerian law. From the ICPC, we will not be tolerating vote buying or selling and anybody culpable of this will be arrested and prosecuted.

To underscore the seriousness of the issue, the commission organized a street rally in the state capital, Osogbo. Participants, including corps members and Independent National Electoral Commission staff, marched through major areas, campaigning against vote trading. Fliers detailing the negative implications of vote-buying were distributed to residents.

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The Commission has made adequate arrangements to deploy our personnel to all the 30 local governments to monitor the election to ensure that vote buying is eradicated.

Yusuf Olatunji, the Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner for Osun State, stressed that vote-buying is a crime under Nigerian law. He warned that anyone involved, whether as a giver or taker, will face arrest and prosecution. Olatunji urged voters to reject monetary inducements, emphasizing that the temporary financial gain from selling a vote is insignificant compared to the long-term damage to democracy, which can lead to poor governance, unfulfilled promises, and a decline in public confidence.

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We want to appeal to the voters that they should not encourage vote buying. Don’t let anybody deceive you with money. Anybody that engages in such – both giver and taker – is liable and will be punished.

He highlighted the lasting consequences of electing unsuitable leaders due to vote-buying, stating that the money exchanged for votes is quickly spent, but the effects of poor leadership, such as inadequate infrastructure, insecurity, and unemployment, can persist for years. Olatunji appealed to the electorate to protect the integrity of the electoral process by rejecting all forms of electoral corruption.

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Vote buying and vote selling may appear to offer temporary financial relief, but they inflict lasting damage on our democracy. When votes become commodities, leadership becomes a transaction rather than a mandate. The consequences are evident: poor governance, unfulfilled promises, inadequate infrastructure, insecurity, unemployment,and declining public confidence in democratic institutions.