The Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) arrests nine people for vote-buying and reveals their identities.
On Saturday, agents of political parties contesting the ongoing governorship election in Kogi State were observed providing financial incentives to voters to vote for their candidates in Lokoja, the state capital.
The agents set up shop about 500 meters away from polling stations, where they distributed money to voters in order to entice them to vote for their candidates.
The amount offered to voters ranged from N3,000 to N5,000, depending on their personality or negotiating power.
A voter is expected to present his Permanent Voter Card (PVC) as a precondition to collecting the money.
Some beneficiaries who spoke with journalists revealed that the agents distributing the cash had been moving from one polling booth to another.
However, they claimed they were not selling their votes by collecting the money, as they had already decided to vote for the candidates of their choice.
The people of Kogi State are voting to elect Governor Yahaya Bello’s successor, after ruling the state for eight years.
Morenikeji Adedayo is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, business, and public affairs.
