Edo Guber: Vote Buying Led To Large Voters’ Turnout – CDD

• The Centre for Democracy and Development reports that vote buying and fake news significantly influenced high voter turnout in the Edo governorship election
• CDD Chair Prof. Adele Jinadu noted both PDP and APC engaged in vote buying, offering financial incentives to increase voter participation

The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD-West Africa) has reported that vote buying and the spread of fake news significantly influenced the high voter turnout during the Edo State governorship election.

In a briefing on Saturday, CDD-EAC Chair Prof. Adele Jinadu highlighted that both the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) were involved in offering financial incentives, ranging from ₦5,000 to ₦10,000, in exchange for votes. This practice was observed in various parts of the state, leading to increased voter participation, even in the presence of security agents.

Prof. Jinadu also noted that misinformation and disinformation were widespread during the election. Some fake news included claims that voters were being prevented from using umbrellas during a downpour and the purported arrest of a PDP thug in Egor, later debunked as an old incident from Lagos in 2022.

Reports from CDD’s fact-checkers indicated that the APC and PDP engaged in vote buying in areas like Orhionmwon, Esan Central, and Esan North East Local Government Areas, with financial incentives leading to increased voter turnout. Other incidents were also reported in Edo South, where both PDP and Labour Party officials were seen attempting to influence voters.

Prof. Jinadu acknowledged some positive developments, including officials from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arresting suspected vote buyers in Egor LGA. Despite some local resistance to the arrests, the overall conduct of voters was described as calm and peaceful.

The CDD commended the voters for their peaceful behaviour but raised concerns over the integrity of the election process due to widespread vote buying.