The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Tuesday confirmed that the last governorship election in Anambra State was heavily monetised, disclosing that people were offered N5,000 each to vote. The commission, however, did not disclose the party/parties and candidate(s) that engaged in the bribery spree. The election was won by the incumbent governor, Chief Willie Obiano.

INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, made the disclosure in Ado Ekiti during a stakeholders’ meeting on the Continuous Registration Exercise ahead of the July 14 governorship election in the state.

He noted that a similar thing earlier happened during the governorship polls in Ondo and Edo states, saying that such won’t reoccur in Ekiti through strong synergy with the security agencies.

Yakubu, who was represented by INEC National Commissioner in charge of Oyo, Ekiti, Osun and Ondo states, Mr. Solomon Soyebi, said: “The elections in Edo, Ondo and Anambra states were largely monetised. We are aware of this. It was, see and buy, but it won’t happen in Ekiti.”

According to him, “It was N5,000 per vote in Ondo and Anambra states. We are working with security agencies not to allow it to happen again. We even seized some cash in Anambra State.

“In the Ekiti election, we won’t allow any vehicle to come near the polling units, because the politicians used to keep the money in the booth. With this, it will reduce because politicians can’t carry large amount in their pockets.”

Prof. Yakubu assured that INEC will be neutral in Ekiti election, urging the stakeholders to work hard to mobilise the people for the continuous registration exercise and also claim over 200,000 Permanent Voters Cards that are still with the commission.

Among those who attended the meeting were Ekiti Deputy Governor, Prof Kolapo Olusola, a frontline Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) guber aspirant; leaders of political parties, security agencies, market women, civil society organisations, and labour leaders, among others.

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