Dare Babalola
The African Action Congress (AAC) governorship candidate in Anambra State, Chioma Ifemeludike, has raised concerns about reports of vote buying during the ongoing elections.
According to Ifemeludike, observers at polling units have reported that voters are being paid as little as ₦5,000 in exchange for their votes.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), @ife_dike, on Saturday, she described the development as a shameful stain on democracy and urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to immediately apprehend those involved.
“I just got a report from my polling unit search light that vote buying is heavily happening across polling units in the Anambra state Governorship elections. I call on security agencies and Inec to get these party agent paying voters N5,000 for their conscience,” She stated.
Ifemeludike, known for her vocal stance on social justice, lamented that the continuous exchange of money for votes undermines Nigeria’s democracy and perpetuates bad governance.
“This very act is destroying our society and it is totally unacceptable,” she said.
She further called for decisive action from the security agencies and the electoral body.
“Voters selling their votes for as little as N5,000 and whoever buying should be sentenced to life imprisonment. This act criminalises both the electorate and politicians, it obstructs accountability in governance and demonises leaders in power.
“This practice must be proscribed and eradicated for true and patriotic leaders to pave way for the needed change we seek in our society. I call on @inecnigeria and the Nigerian police force to arrest any individual or group of people enforcing this abominable act,” she added.
