Politics

CDD Reveals How Vote Buying, Violence Marred Polls In South-East, North-West

Published

2 years ago

March 21, 2023

The Center for Democracy and Development (CDD) has released a report on how vote buying and violence marred the the governorship and state house of assembly elections.

The CDD, in a press statement released on Monday, said vote buying was more in the South-East than in any other geopolitical zones, while violence marred polls in North-West region during March 18th elections.

Recall that the governorship and state house of assembly elections were held on March 18 in 28 states across the country.

According to CDD, voters were more focused on what they would get than the ideology of the candidates.

It said the vote-trading was made possible due to the prevailing economic hardship amid the current cash crunch.

“In total, 25.3 percent of observers noted vote buying at their polling units across the country with the highest figures reported in the northwest (35.4 percent) and southeast (41.4 percent),” the statement reads.

“In Anambra state, party agents were observed using materials, phones, and other souvenirs to entice voters. In the south-south, multiple party agents reported a desire for voters to show proof of their vote before being paid, with party agents reportedly compiling a list of their voters in Esan Central LGA, Edo state.

“The prevailing economic hardship in the country – 133 million Nigerians were estimated to be multidimensionally poor in 2022 according to the National Bureau of Statistics – and the continued shortages of fuel and particularly Naira were undoubtedly a factor in this.

“Votes were being traded for between N1,000-2,000 in parts of Edo and Benue states for example, with goods of similar value used in many cases in lieu of cash given the continued currency shortages. Across the region, manifestations of vote buying included the use of fabric, toiletries, ‘I-owe-you-vouchers’ and food items.”

The CDD said electoral violence was more in the northwest with voters being threatened with death in some polling units.

“Voter suppression, voter intimidation, and the destruction or theft of election materials predominantly by political party agents and politically aligned thugs were recorded across all six geopolitical zones,” it said.

“A total of 10.8 percent of observed polling units recorded violence and/or fighting; this was most pronounced in the northwest (19.9 percent) and south-south (11.6 percent) geopolitical zones with Bayelsa and Zamfara, the two states with the most incidents recorded by our observers.

“These violent incidents were often focused in political strongholds of opposition or perceived opponents which suggests that the use of BVAS – which can limit overvoting in principle has resulted in a more concerted effort to stymie votes than to try and stuff ballot boxes in order to rig the outcome of an election.

“Conventional forms of voter suppression were recorded by observers across the northwest zone, and most apparent in Zamfara where the bandits and vigilante groups, particularly Yan Sakai, were reported to have threatened voters with death if they voted for the incumbent.

“Similar incidents of intimidation were reported in all geo-political zones, and were most pronounced in the southeast zone (9.8 percent as compared with a nationwide average of 4.7 percent), with party agents involved. In Lagos, for example, voters were told to vote for the incumbent or they would be flogged in Lagbasa and Ado primary schools in Ajah LGA.”

The CDD said the outcome of the presidential and gubernatorial elections would either worsen or strengthen Nigeria’s democracy.

It added that some of these determining factors include, the pronounced ethnic divisions, the electorate’s increased awareness and involvement in the process, the political influence of alternative parties, and the incorporation of technology amongst others.

Politics

Edo LG Poll: My Ambition Driven By Commitment To Fast-track Grassroot Development – Aspirant

Published

23 minutes ago

August 3, 2025

Editor

As local government election in Edo State draws nearer, a chairmanship position aspirant in Ovia South West Local Government Council, Kelvin Omoruyi, said he’s driven by his commitment to fast-track grassroot development in the area.

Omoruyi, who spoke on his aspiration while fielding questions from journalists in Benin, said governance at the grassroot must be felt, stressing that it remains the closest to the people.

He added that Ovia South West is endowed with agricultural potential that requires the right leadership to harness it for the benefit of the people and the state.

Omoruyi, who is vying on the platform of the All Progress Congress, APC, noted that if given the party’s ticket and eventually won the chairmanship seat, his administration will focus on peoples oriented programmes.

He lauded the developmental trajectory of Governor Monday Okpehbolo and his deputy, Dennis Idahosa in setting the state on the path of progress after many years of bad and retrogressive governance.

The young entrepreneur and grass root mobilizer said his seven points agenda will focus on rehabilitation and grading of rural roads to link wards; installation of solar power, education and youth empowerment, renovation of dilapidated primary and secondary schools, agricultural and local economy, women and grassroot empowerment among others.

He said, “Basically, my mission is improving the overall well-being of our people through purposeful and value driven and people oriented programmes and project.

“Since I understand the yearnings of our people, I deem it fit to come out and offer myself for service of my people and contribute my quota.

“My blue print is to bring governance closer to the people because politics is about the grassroot. Also to make the people understand that governance is about them.

“I understand that politics is very local, and that has been my driving force for vying for the position of the Executive Chairman,” he said.

Politics

Any Politician Promising Single Term Needs Psychiatric Test – Soludo

Published

15 hours ago

August 2, 2025

Editor

Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has slammed politicians promising to serve only one term in office.

The former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria said any politician pledging to serve only one term in office needs to undergo a psychiatric test.

Soludo stated this on Saturday during a political rally held in Anambra South in support of his second-term ambition.

The governor questioned the logic behind such a promise, insisting that the Nigerian Constitution allows elected public officials to serve two terms, not just one.

“How can anybody with a functioning brain say that? Do you think you’re speaking to fools?

“You come to people and say you will do only one term, any politician who says that must be sent to a psychiatric home because the person must have some mental problem,” Soludo said.

This is coming a month after Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State called for a single-term tenure of six years.

Also, former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, said he is willing to accept a one-term presidency in the spirit of equity and zoning.

He stated this during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics on Sunday, July 6.

The former Governor of Anambra State said four years is enough for any serious and sincere leader to make an impact.

He said, “One term is enough to establish that good governance is possible, and if they can impact negatively on us for just two years, why won’t someone achieve a lot in four years?

“It’s also to respect the gentleman’s agreement of zoning, which has been a stabilising factor even though it’s not in our constitution.

“I don’t need a day more than four years. I will show the direction of good governance. In two years, there has been maximum damage.

“Two years can change it in a good direction. People want to get up and see a president who cares and shows compassion.”

Politics

PDP Has Been Bought By APC – Dino Melaye

Published

2 days ago

August 1, 2025

Editor

Former Kogi West Senator Dino Melaye has claimed that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has been “purchased” by the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

Melaye made the allegation while speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday night, a day after submitting his resignation letter to PDP.

According to him, the opposition party receives dates for its National Executive Committee, NEC, meetings directly from the Presidential Villa.

“PDP has been purchased by the APC. The PDP is a parastatal of the APC. In fact, they take dates for NEC meetings and NWC from Aso Villa. Look at these PDP governors, are they acting as opposition? And you know how powerful governors are,” Melaye said