Politicians giving money for votes in Osun, says TMG ahead of guber poll

Ahead of the Osun governorship election, the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) says voter inducement is being perpetrated by politicians in 12 local government areas of the state.

Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, the group’s chairperson, raised the concern in a statement made available to NAN on Wednesday.

She said the trend is a dangerous recipe against the credibility of the electoral process.

The statement read: “In the build-up to the Sept. 22, 2018 governorship election in Osun, TMG has received reports of distribution of money, food items and gifts by politicians at Boripe, Atakumosa East, Atakumosa West, Ife North, Ife South, Obokun, Ede North, Egbedore, Boluwaduro, Ila, Irepodun, Iwo Local Government Areas of the state.

“The rampant case of voter’s inducements does not portray the electoral process in good light as it creates serious questions on the integrity of the process and legitimacy of its outcome.

“We also urge citizens to say no to vote buying as any politician that gives citizens money for their votes does not have good plans for them.”

Akiyode-Afolabi called on the National Orientation Agency (NOA) and other civil society organisations to intensify voter education to curb vote buying.

“Citizens must know that their votes are valuable assets that the votes should be guarded jealously,” she said.

“More so, vote buying is an electoral offense which undermines the legitimacy of elections and weakens representative democracy.

“We, therefore, urge the citizens of Osun to come out on Election Day and vote for the right candidate that will move the state forward.”

The TMG chairperson also urged the indigenes of the state to refrain from being used as instruments for violence before, during and after the poll.

“TMG has also received reports of violence or threats of violence as political parties go out for campaigns. We, therefore, call on candidates and their supporters to remain civil in their campaigns.

“We also urge citizens to get involved in the electoral process peacefully,” she said.