Politicians accused of Vote buying in Kogi Election
Politicians in Kogi state have been accused of influencing officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The Centre for Democracy and Development on Friday, November 15, said politicians from an unnamed political party was bribing electoral officials with $1,000 (N360,000 at N360) to influence processes at the poll in their favour.
CDD in a statement released on Friday said observation was made some of its observers on the field.
The organisation bureau de change operators in the state witnessed an upsurge in customers.
The statement said there are indications that money was already set aside for vote-buying in Kogi state.
It also said that there are cases of distribution of gift items like textile materials, rice and other food items by politicians in Lokoja and Koton Karfe local government areas.
CDD said: “The use of financial inducement to subvert the credibility of the electoral process is antithetical to the democratic ethos.”
Condemning such activities by politicians and electorates alike, CDD said the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) expressly frowns at bribery and all forms of inducement of poll officials.
The organisation further called on Nigeria’s anti-corruption agencies – particularly the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) – to thoroughly investigate these reports in order to hold to account the perpetrators of these electoral crimes.
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