BREAKING: PDP’s Asue Ighodalo levels heavy allegation against APC as Edo state election gets underway, see details

6 days ago 1

Legit.ng journalist, Ridwan Adeola Yusuf, has over 9 years of experience covering politics and governance in Nigeria.

Benin City, Edo state - Asue Ighodalo, the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the ongoing Edo state election, on Saturday, September 21, accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of vote-buying.

Legit.ng reports that Ighodalo said he received feedback that APC agents are trying to undermine the electoral process.

PDP’s Asue Ighodalo raises fresh alarm over crime in Edo state election

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Vote buying — an auction in which the voter sells his or her vote to the highest bidder — is considered a crime in Nigeria. Sometimes, violators could be arraigned in court.

Speaking to journalists after he cast his vote at his polling unit located at Idinrio-Okaigben Skill Acquisition Centre, Ewohinmi Ward 1, unit 3, Ewohimi Esan South East local government area (LGA), Ighodalo stated that exit polls show that he is doing very well in the Edo election.

Legit.ng reports that vote buying is not fundamentally new to Nigeria's electoral politics, but the EFCC has always fumed against it.

Earlier in 2024, Ola Olukoyede, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) chairman, warned against vote buying and selling in Edo state.

Olukoyede stated that violators would be arrested, stressing that "ignorance is not an excuse in law".

Earlier, Ighodalo had raised the alarm over security threats.

He alleged that the police had arrested a party member in Ward 8 Unit 3.

The gubernatorial elections in Edo state are holding today, Saturday, 21, with over 2.2 million permanent voter cards collected.

Igholdalo hopes to shrug off the challenge of Monday Okpebholo (All Progressives Congress), Olumide Akpata (Labour Party), and 14 others.